GOP leaders rip Cuomo’s license plate replacement program

Republican leaders ripped Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s new license plate replacement program for taking motorists for a ride and steering them to choose the Mario Cuomo Bridge as one of the new designs.

“I would love to see the Statue of Liberty be on the New York State license plate, but I noticed three Statutes of Liberty options so I think he’s trying to divide the Statute of Liberty vote so the Mario Cuomo bridge wins,” state GOP chairman Nick Langworthy said during a trip to the State Capitol Tuesday.

New Yorkers have until Sept. 2 to decide between potential plate designs, including three designs displaying Lady Liberty, and one depicting the new Tappan Zee Bridge, renamed recently the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge after Andrew’s father.

“I don’t see why people should be forced to turn in perfectly good, non-peeling license plates and pay $25, it’s another stealth tax, it’s another cash grab, it’s standard operating procedure here in Albany, just find a reason to get more money out of the people’s pockets,” seethed state Senate Republican Minority Leader John Flanagan.

“If you needed any more evidence that one-party Democrat rule in Albany is a recipe for billions of dollars in new and burdensome taxes, Gov. Cuomo reinforced it,” he said.

“It will require millions of drivers to buy new license plates starting next year.”

Starting April 1, 2020, drivers with license plates aged 10 years must spend an extra $25 in plate replacement fees plus another $20 if they want to keep the old plate’s digits.

Cuomo’s office estimates over three million vehicles operate with plates 10 years and older.

But Cuomo fended off the criticism Tuesday, claiming the old plates are incompatible with new cashless tolling technology.

“These plates are not designed to work with the new technology we are installing,” Cuomo said following a press conference at Wilson Tuscarora State Park. “These plates are not designed for our new technology and we need a plate that works with that technology.”

But the technology operated by the Thruway Authority reads the old plates now for drivers who use cashless tolling via EZ Pass.

Cuomo’s office changed the topic and said Langworthy is not in a position to criticize.

“When his own congressman continues to serve while under indictment for fixing the stock market, Langworthy like the rest of the Trumpers, chose t‎o bury their heads in the sand and focus on insane conspiracy theories.‎ It’s sad,” Cuomo senior adviser Rich Azzopardi snarked, referring to Buffalo-area Congressman Chris Collins.