Birmingham Sounds Alarm on New DMV Fees
County Legislator Wonders: More Taxes Again?
Citing multiple fee increases for automobile owners Putnam County Legislator Dan Birmingham (R, C, I – Brewster) warned residents of the coming storm. Beginning September 1, 2009 residents of Putnam County will be required to pay additional fees regarding their automobiles. As approved by the state budget this past spring, Driver License Fees and Vehicle Registration Fees will be increased by 25%.
“In a county where the vast majority of residents rely on automobiles to get to work these increases are absurd,” Birmingham said. “These latest fee increases only reinforce Albany’s tax and spend addiction which severely hurts the residents of Putnam County.”
The 25% increase means Class D diver’s license fees will increase from $50 to $64.50. Registration fees for an automobile weighing 3500lbs will climb from $45 to $56. Effective April 1, 2010 all registered vehicles will be required to get new license plates, which will cost $25.
For the 12 county MTA region which includes Westchester, Putnam, and Dutchess Counties there will be an additional $16 fee on all drivers licenses; translating into $80.50 for a class D license. For all vehicle registration, a $50 supplemental fee will be added, causing a 3500lbs automobile $106.50 to be registered.
“The reality is since Putnam County is a part of the MTA region we are now in double trouble,” Birmingham continued. “This is exactly the reason why my fellow legislators and I voted to withhold the county’s payroll tax bill. We knew this was not going to be a one time deal and more taxes and fees were going to be piled on.”
“What the MTA really stands for is More Taxes Again,” Birmingham concluded. “By letting this dangerous trend of tax and spend policies continue we are putting the vitality and prosperity of Putnam County at risk. If the state does not alter its’ methods soon there will not be many people left to tax.”
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