Proprosed new retro-style plate

ALBANY – There has been no action taken in Albany to remove the plan to require motorists to pay for new license plates as another piece of the state’s financial bailout.

Last month, the governor and leaders of the state legislature announced an agreement to do that, but when the latest deficit closing measures were approved this past week, there was no mention of getting rid of the license plates component.

Assemblywoman Annie Rabbitt (R-Greenwood Lake) said assuming that verbal deal is still on the table, license plate production is in progress.

“As of now there is a verbal agreement that there will be no increase for 2010 for new plates and that’s a verbal agreement from the speaker of the Assembly, the majority leader of the Senate and the governor. The problem is there is money allocated for the work already to Auburn state prison for these plates,” she said. “My concern is that the money is given back to the state or figure out a way to secure that that doesn’t happen.”

The lack of a written agreement in the place is of concern to St. Lawrence County Clerk Patty Ritchie, who led a petition drive against the plan. She said the failure to reach agreement coupled with the governor’s decision to go ahead with production of the plates “raises serious concerns as to Albany’s commitment to actually follow through on its promise.”