Nov 17, 2009 6:07 am US/Eastern
N.Y. 'Road Rage' Puts Kibosh On License Plates
Paterson, Legislature Admit Hitting People Up For $129 Million Worth Of Plates They Don't Need Is Not Way To Go
That's Because 100,000 Angry Motorists Signed Petitions Against Move
And Because Republicans Planned To Use It As Platform In Next Election Against Incumbent Democrats
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Design for New York's new "Empire Gold" license plate, available for motorists beginning in April 2010.
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Bowing to taxpayer outrage, Gov. David Paterson and members of the state Legislature are not going to force motorists to buy new license plates to plug a hole in the state budget.
This is one time -- maybe the only time -- where a good old fashioned case of road rage paid off.
Motorists believe they forced state officials to back off.
"There are a number of people angry all over the state about the license plates and I want to hear their voices. They're all being asked to suffer during the recession," Paterson said.
On Monday Paterson became the public voice of the decision not to soak motorists $129 million for new plates -- that really weren't needed.
But here's the real story. More than 100,000 motorists signed petitions to stop the move and Republicans in the Senate had decided to use the issue to run against Democrats next year. Road rage could have been a potent reason for incumbents to be dumped.
"The license plates were not due to be changed this year so we would just put it back to the regular time that we change license plates," Paterson said.
Most motorists applauded the decision as a rare moment of common sense from a Legislature that, to many, is out of control
"Our blue collar in New York state are taking an awful hit because these politicians can't get it right and I'm just furious at it," said Reza Van Dunk of Kingston.
"I'm not even quite sure, but I'm hoping that the governor is listening to the people. Honestly, I hope he's listening. We don't need any more burden. Forcing us to buy plates now is totally the wrong way to go," said Mel Wright of the Lower East Side.
"We're spending enough money on taxes and on parking tickets, so its pretty cool that we don't have to pay more money for license plates," said Juan Serrano of the Bronx.
"That's good. At least he's listening to us. That makes sense," added Daniem Acosta of Queens.
Of course there is one caveat to the decision. Lawmakers have to come up with some other way to find the $129 million, and given the present state of the Legislature that could be a tough "road" to hoe.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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