Those new license plates and the $25 fee associated with them got a lot people talking and now people who have existing registrations may not have to change their plates or open their wallets.
Governor Paterson's office says it's scrapped plans to make all New Yorkers give up their blue and white plates for the "Empire Gold" plates. The Madison County clerk, Kenneth J. Kunkle Jr. was opposed to the initial plan. He says if the plate debate is off the table, that's good news.
Kunkle says, "The new plates were 2001-02. Now these plates are for 2010-11. It's too soon for new plates.
The state legislature didn't pass any changes on the plate requirement. State Senator John DeFrancisco says he's not so sure its a done deal. He's against new plates overall while the governor still wants people with new registrations to get the new plates after April 1st.
Senator DeFrancisco said, "It makes no sense in my mind to increase the cost of the plate registration and new plates when were trying to attract people to the state of New York and to keep people here."
Materials have been purchased and production has begun on the new plates. Meantime Senator DeFrancisco says he is still concerned upstate could take a hit because of the governor's plan. He said, "Maybe he thinks its accepting because it doesn't affect his home region but it effects upstate New York.
Senator Aubertine's office sent me a statement saying he would like to eliminate the proposal.Calls to our other local officials were not returned.
Now the discussion has turned to where the state can make up some of the money it would have gained from the new registration fee.
Senator DeFrancisco suggests cuts in Medicaid while the governors office says it's fearful of what will have to be cut now.
