Also, policies like this are a big reason I left NY. Too many taxes and a government that can't manage it's budget for crap.

I like the looks of this new plate. Looks retro,,,1930s.

@zzxx: Ford Galaxy, license plate 561 XLB. [www.homicidesquad.com]

@varro: What about a "Warriors" motif?

@Trai_Dep: I like the King Kong idea. And I don't even have to move here. Of course, I still need a car to put it on, though.

@Trai_Dep: Which blackout? The one in 1965, '77, or 2003?

@GitEmSteveDave_Isn'tFreshPerked: Wow, you're just troll bait today I guess stevedave! Maybe just cause it's monday and everyone is itching for an argument, amazing how little sense of humor people have lately.

@katstermonster:

Resemble that remark??

I wish more states had the balls to issue non white plates standard issue. I can get a blue with white lettering but I'd need to pay more for it. :(

@El_Red: And, they'll be made in a prison close to where I live!

Seriously, though, at this point I don't think this is going to happen. There's such an uproar about it.

If you owned the car for 7 years, when you went to register they just handed over new plates to you.

Read the article. They're not just "handing over new plates", they're charging everyone (including you) $25 for the new plates.

@Aesteval: You're right. I just got my registration renewal which included a $60 "Use Fee" of which $50 is for the MTA surcharge. I think my head exploded when I got this - I drive to work and pay large gas taxes yet I'm subsidizing someone's train ride because they didn't want to raise rates or find a way to lower expenses. Now I'm mandated to get new plates. All these politicians need to go because all they know how to do is raise taxes and fee, and enrich themselves.

@subtlefrog: Yeah, this is pretty much what I was thinking. There are a group of us (and take this for what you will) that are regulars, and because we know this, it's easier for all of us to defend one another in some manner - if there's some kind of "attack" that some of us think is unjustified, it's a lot easier for any of us to show examples that dispute the false accusation.

@RedwoodFlyer: Can Greg House join the cane-swingers lobby? They might like him when it comes time to play the parapalegics in bowling, since he makes cripple jokes all the time.

@MostlyHarmless: Technically, you can unheart them and reheart them.

AND, that isn't sales tax rolled into the loan, it has to be paid when the temporary plates run out!! You also pay a huge sum every year after that.

@redstapler: In before "why do they hate America?"

And yes, we use prison labor to actually make the things. It was still cheaper to just keep the old plates and just take the $20 a year.

That said, we do have like 100 different optional plates for schools or various causes like support the flowers, support "choice", support animal spaying, or hunting, or animal shelters (pick), you name it, we got a plate for it, and nearly all of them cost plenty extra and people pay it. The State makes a ton off that stuff. Maybe that money offsets some of the costs.

If the governor is "creating" jobs, maybe he will qualify for more stimulus money.

Same like phone exchanges in my town 986 means you have been here for a while, 981 means you are a Johnny-come-lately.

California, which is in crap financial straits did not change all plates since 1963. New Jersey since 1965? Massachusetts since 1982? I know I see plenty of NJ blue plates around and if you look on some old cars you can see the old style black and straw NJ plates. I still see some Mass green and white plates. I see an occasional black California plate. How about North Carolina, no plate change since 1984? They did what NY did XXX-####. Seeing an A or B NC plate is a rarity.

Sorry I am a license plate nut.

Agree the color is horrendous. Probably an attempt to up the vanity plate sales.

And I agree too that there's hordes of other ridiculous things to be more upset about with the state of NY. Did you know a liquor store, the only place to buy wine up here, can't sell you a wine bag to make it a gift? A bunch of liquor stores got fined heavily at the beginning of the year because(gasp!)the sold wine gift bags.

*winces* *headdesk* *headdesk* headdesk*

@The Black Bird: Over it? No. Bitter? Possibly.

@GitEmSteveDave_HurtHisKnee: Dang.. I miss all the fun because I was out today.. Bah. You handled it well anyway.

I was in Indiana last year for work and it seemed like everyone had a different plate, but it looks like they have "only" 75.

Maryland, on the other hand, has 3 (plain white, save the bay, and agriculture), not counting affiliate/org plates, which are just the plain white plate with different letters and maybe a logo.

This is from a state that stopped sending two registration stickers for your plates at renewal several years ago to save money. (We only display the sticker on the rear plate.)

@RedwoodFlyer: You just got a well-deserved heart. Where have you been all my life?

Katstermonster, GESD, Trai_Dep, Subtlefrog, Jrsy Devil: You all put in an awesome performance too. Too bad I can only heart you guys once.

@RedwoodFlyer: I don't even care what this says about me, but I laughed about your comment to the point of tears. Bonus points for the use of the word "fellate."

@subtlefrog: I read this again, got it, and laughed even more. Oh god. Nice one.

Yes, because his opinion doesn't push for FCC fines and legislation over what others can't say or do.

If the cane-swingers' lobby is going to force everyone with a quiet car to have a speaker that goes makes engine noises (not kidding), then I have every right to make jokes about blind people thinking some fry cook's acne is the prologue to "War and Peace"

Q: What does the "N" in NAACP stand for?
A: I don't want to get the banhammer.

What does Pontiac stand for? Poor old national thinks it's a cadillac

Btw, I feel that I can use the "N word" because I'm a living, breathing American. I don't need to donate to some pro-racist/separation of races agenda'd organization to allow me usage of words that black rappers use 24/7.

You're right that there's no reason to make bigoted comments; Thankfully, my views of what constitutes "bigoted" are rooted in reality and not in a land of pixie dust and ponies who exist to fellate you and your tender morals.

Just sayin'.

I don't say this often, but Pwned..fucking pwned. Now go lick some Braile.

How do you punish Helen Keller? Leave the plunger in the toilet..

Why can't Helen Keller drive? Because she's a girl.. etc etc.

Ponder that and get back to class afterwards, OK?

As far as "wasting everyone's time" I find it interesting you feel you speak for everyone. Hell, even GitEmSteveDave didn't say I was wasting his time and he was the person I was talking about. Are you saying it's a waste of your time to read comments you don't agree with?

First, while I believe your comment is bigoted that doesn't make me think you are a bigoted person. Many of us, at one time or another, have said things which we wish we hadn't said because of various reasons.

Next, if you are really involved with training dogs for the blind, (I don't have any reason not to believe you), I applaud what you are doing.

While I have done things over the years to help people less fortunate, I have never done what you are doing. In fact I would have a problem in "letting go" of the dog because of how attached I would get to it. I had that very problem with a stray I took in last winter. I knew I couldn't keep him indefinitely when I found him but I couldn't let him freeze or starve to death and I wasn't going to take him to the pound and have him put down.

I took him to the vet and made sure he was ok. I was able to find a good home for him about a month later and it was difficult to give him up.

Finally, I am truly sorry about you losing your Ex. I would imagine it had (has) to hurt like hell. If you haven't yet done so, I hope you get over it soon.

Now back to "the comment".

You said;

"It's as if I said he has something against Non-Mint Julep drinkers. Does that mean he drinks Mint Juleps?"

The difference is that you know he is blind. If he weren't, I doubt you would have made your comment. I just don't think it's right to make light of an individuals disability.

As far as I'm concerned it's behind us. If you want to comment I'll be happy to read it.

Listen, I'm a lifelong New York City resident. But the fact of the matter is:

1) New York State has its fair share of suburban and rural areas.

2) Everybody doesn't live in a location with well developed and maintained roads with a sidewalk (or at least a wide shoulder good for safe walking), reliable public transportation (if at all) and essential locations within close distances.

3) Not everybody is healthy, but everybody does have a mind of their own.

Your "infinitely more ways to move than driving" is more wishful thinking than anything else. (More of the same line that the government seems to think moreso lately than ever before.)

As for your N-word comment, no, I did not address it because it had no bearing on my statement. If you note, I never made a remark about blind people. I merely said that Gov. Paterson had something against NON-cane swingers. I never said he was one. It's as if I said he has something against Non-Mint Julep drinkers. Does that mean he drinks Mint Juleps? No.

@Trai_Dep: Shhhhh. Stop picking on someone trying to defend me! I need all the help I can get! ;)

Be careful with car tag issues, politicians. The last election Bill Clinton lost was because his opponent pushed two sensitive issues: Car Tags and Cubans.

The Cubans issue had to do with the Cuban Boatlift refugees coming to Ft. Chaffee. Clinton had also raised the license fee to fund highway construction.

Are you saying he is entitled to his opinion but I'm not? As far as your idiot comment I'll consider the source who said it.

@Trai_Dep: I don't have any problems with your sense of humor or comments. I was merely pointing out that your multiple comments got a pass with The Black Bird but SteveDave's one comment got him/her all rilled up.

It's so weird that people are fleeing New York like rats from a sinking ship. I'm sure this will stop the tide of people leaving the state because of ridiculous financial rape from the government. Wait...

[www.direct.gov.uk]

@schiff: NYS DMV provides the following explanation for why they are pushing for replacement. As a long time former NYS resident, I can say that this explanation makes sense. I left when the Liberty plates were still being used, and they were looking pretty shabby. In Maryland, our plates lose their reflectiveness after 2-3 years. Combine that with the fact that NYS does not place registration stickers on the plates, it becomes difficult for police officers to ensure regustration is current unless he is stopping you for some other reason.

"Periodic re-issuance of vehicle plates is important for overall highway safety, law enforcement and the general integrity of the vehicle registration system. The visibility of reflective vehicle plates decreases with time. The legibility and reflectivity of the current Empire plates, introduced in 2001, was only guaranteed for a maximum of five years. The current plates will have been in use for 10 or 11 years when they are replaced by the new Empire Gold plates. Vehicle plate re-issuance also helps to ensure compliance with motor vehicle registration and insurance requirements."

I've never heard the fine folks in Eastern Washington complain about having Mt. Rainier on the plate either. I like to think it's because it is a great design. Or maybe they've all opted for one of the 120 special plate options.

"a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially : one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance"

or;

"One who is strongly partial to one's own group, religion, race, or politics and is intolerant of those who differ."

[www.flhsmv.gov]

Also, why did you ignore a question I asked you in my last post? I said, in part, "I see, you justify making a bigoted comment because you did something positive (assuming you really did). Does that mean if you contribute to the NAACP you feel you can use the "N" word?"

Are you willing to answer the above?

@The Black Bird: So he's a bigot for using the term 'cane-swinger' but it's ok for Trai-Dep to post Helen Keller joke or joke about teaching bad commands to a seeing eye dog? You didn't say anything to him. And your argument about comparing what he said to the 'N' word. What planet are you even on? There is no way 'cane-swinger' has anywhere near the racist negativity associated with it that the 'N' word does. No one is getting beat-up or shot over 'cane-swinger'. You're an idiot. The man is entitled to his own opinion, whether you agree with it or not.

We would like to do it, but I am desperately allergic to dogs so it's a no-go for now. I may do the shots later on.

I like the retro look. I never much cared for the current NY plates - they're kind of boring. I really liked the old statue of liberty plates, but I guess people in upstate New York probably don't like living in NYC's shadow.

If this is extortion then all taxes are extortion.

I'm blown away by how worked up people get over $25.

a prejudiced person who is intolerant of any opinions differing from his own

Then yes, I am a bigot. I think people who don't think support the rights of blind Americans and those with visual impairments and their guide animals, which is my opinion/view, are wrong.

There is absolutely no reason for you to make bigoted comments and nothing you do or say gives you the right to do so.

civic clubs 12
collegiate 29
government 20
military 31
stock car racing 23
special interests 56
standard issue 24

The top vote-getter was "Illinois: The S is Silent" so they stuck with Lincoln. :D

Deep, DEEP respect, SteveDave. Hat's off!

And if I lived in Chicagoland, I'd be paying another $100 for a "sticker" from my municipality.

$45 doesn't seem so bad to me. Though those are UGLY plates.

The traditional: The default chickadee passenger, Agriculture, Combination, Hire, and Antique Auto, and Firefighter

Vanity: Animal Welfare, Black Bear, Breast Cancer Support, Conservation, Custom Vehicle, Lobster, Purple Heart, Street Rod, Support Troops, Sportsman, University of Maine, Special Veteran, Wabanaki

Plus a bunch of disabled: Conservation Disability, Disability Special Veteran, Disabled Veteran, Disability

Plus vanity plates for commercial, trailers, and more...

It's so the cops can see that your vehicle does not have one from very far away and fine you appropriately - making even more money for big brother.

Ingenious, don't you think?

State governments build, own and maintain roads, so they have the ultimate say over what happens on them, down to the registration and licensing of the vehicles that operate upon them. If you want to buy thousands of miles of right-of-way and construct your own roads on it, you would have ultimate say over what happens on them.

But while you're doing that, I challenge you to find U.S. legislation guaranteeing a right to drive.

I thought Oregon had a lot of plate designs to choose from...You still see the occasional "Pacific Wonderland" plate from waaaay back because we don't have to unilaterally replace ours when a new design comes out.

However, the dingbat in the head office had a GRRRRR-eat!!!!! idea of how to raise more money off license plates...first, double the fee; second, halve the renewal period; three, require the same license plates for bicycles. Now, many people were upset about the idea of paying $120 every year to license a car, but the idea of paying that for a bicycle? Insanity.

If NY wants to collect all this money then they should at least have made sure they had an attractive design. This one is reminiscent of pre-1980's plates, which weren't all that pretty but were standard for then.

(Both are sweet people, by the way: great photo!)

p.s. my hometown team

AND, to top it all off, here is my Ex and the blind guy she dumped me for, and HIS Seeing Eye Dog:

(Hey, c'mon; SNL's done it, why can't I?)

I like that plate, because it's a plain, legible, simple, efficient, back-to-basics plate that isn't some modern, trendy, overdesigned, multi-colored, eyeball-jangling plate.

Wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong.

In a free society, the State does not grant privileges. In a free society, the State has certain, limited, powers, and everything else is permitted. You're confusing a free society with a an oligarchy. Don't feel bad, most of our current politicians make the same mistake.

Well, the taxpayers have to subsidize those lavish vacations and extravagant homes for the state's political figures somehow.

@Method of Steepest Descent: I assure you, SteveDave is not "making this stuff up." And if you didn't recognize his first comment as blatant sarcasm and satire, your sense of humor needs a solid reboot.

@Julius Seizure - Canuck:

NY plates will expire within 2 years. So by 2012, everyone will have to replace their plates.

PS: I laughed.

Q: Why doesn't Helen Keller live in New Jersey?
A: She's can't see, not can't smell.

Assuming $34k MSRP.... a Mainer would pay $816+$35 registration.

Don't use politics to justify your own misanthropy.

@wcnghj: In NYS we are charged by the weight of a car. Here's the info: [www.nysdmv.com]

And if you are lucky enough to live in NYC (and other counties), then you get to experience the joy of paying more fees. And if you hit the trifecta by living in the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District (MCTD), you pay again. BTW, NYC is part of the MCTD.

So, let's say that when I am working again, and I buy a new Nissan Maxima (I leased one from 2006-2009 and liked it), I will pay the following registration fees:

Assume a weight of 3951 - 4050: $69.00

NYC fee: $30

MCTD fee: $50

Total 2-year registration fee: $149.00 or $74.50 per year.

Of course, sales tax, license plate, inspection are not included in the registration total.

Sure, I can agree with that. But there are infinitely more ways to move than driving. Walking, taking a bus, taking a subway, taking a train, riding in a car someone else is driving, riding a bike, riding a Segway, flying in an airplane ... I could go on.

Movement may be a right, but driving is far from the only way to move.

@nybiker: Sorry, this is the press release: [www.nysdmv.com] What I supplied before is the FAQ for the new plates.

When you read the FAQ [www.nysdmv.com] I found one piece of good news for those of us who have vanity plates: "If you have a personalized plate you will automatically be reissued the same number on your new plate. Because you currently pay an annual personalized plate fee, you will not be required to pay the $20.00 fee." The $20 is if you want to keep your current plate value.

@bkdlays: Here's the NYS DMV Press release: [www.nysdmv.com]

In Maine a new car owner pays $600-$1200(no kidding) for the first year PLUS a $35 registration fee.

____

[www.maine.gov]

For example, a 3 year old car with an MSRP of $19,500 would pay $263.25.

@HurtsSoGood: I still have my Liberty plates, so I could just reuse them.

@HurtsSoGood: If one's plate is damaged or defaced or otherwise not legible, then the owner should (or must, I suspect if they get ticketed for it) replace it. But all of us should not be forced every 10 years to replace 'em.

And, IIRC, it was Pataki who put into law the banning of any and all license plate covers. Maybe it is Cuomo. All I know is I got ticketed for having such a plate cover on my car, and I was trying to protect my vanity plate from damage since those plates cost more not only upfront but every time you renew your registration.

And trust me, we NY'ers complain about everything every day. For those of born here, it's in our blood. It's probably a more unifying theme than sports. We have the wonderful MTA, along with increasing water/sewer rates, jacked up property taxes, just-increased sales taxes (we're not the worst yet, though), budget problems in the state & city, noisy & annoying neighbors (well, I have one in particular, so it's a problem), and traffic delays & wacky drivers that make one wish for a less stressful way of commuting.

Also, FYI, I am from NJ, a state which Governor Patterson apparently has a beef with, and insults regularly.

@Method of Steepest Descent: Actually, IIRC, there have been studies which show that, in people who are blind, the portion of the brain which is helps process vision will start to process other senses, due to the neuroplasticity of the human brain.

Of course, in the State of Washington, they required you to get a new plate of the same design as the old one - They don't change a good design cause some of them are old.

@ColoradoShark: Wait a minute. You want honesty from a New York State (or City, for that matter) politician? Very funny. Your theory sounds good. Probably not going to happen though.

@frodolives35: insert the word few. Please Please Please edit button.

@coren: Because now they can afford to fix a potholes.

The state has no obligation to make it easy for you to drive.

You still see cars occasionally with the '70's beige and black plates or the 80's light blue and tan ones. And I drove around for years with the short-lived 7-digit plates, that they dropped because evidently cops couldn't remember 7 digits when calling in a plate.

Do you think people who are deaf develop better eyesight? It makes no sense.

Apart from the ugly colors, it's been eight years since we changed plates. Have you seen what NY plates look like Upstate after a few years? It's time. I'm not even complaining about the $25. NY auto registration is still a bargain compared to some states I've lived in. People just like to bitch.

Want to complain about something, New Yorkers? Complain about skyrocketing property taxes. Complain about the new bottle bill, which mandates deposits on bottled water, but not on water with flavoring (like Vitamin Water). That's an Albany screwup if I've ever seen one.

$25 for new ugly license plates every eight to ten years. Really. The fact that they're ugly as sin far outweighs the $25 shakedown.

Attack his policies all you want, but what you're doing is childish and wrong.

I'm not from NY, but don't they have the special plates every other state has? I can choose from like 20 designs in Ohio.

I used to say the worst thing you could do to a car was put Vermont license plates on it... I'm not so sure anymore...

Gov. Patterson says this is a great idea... isn't he blind??

Even if he couldn't see the yellow, I'd think Patterson would be able to feel the phosphorescent radiation emanating off of that thing, at least enough to realize it may not be the best of choices.

Or perhaps he'd hear the gasps and shrieks of horror when it was unveiled.

Of course, I can't be sure until I see how good it looks on a coffee-colored Buick.

I have seen much uglier plates than those but does NY not have specialty plates? In Maine you can get pink plates to support the fight against breast cancer which is a good cause but I think those plates are just as ugly as those above for the article.

A pink plate only works on a pink car. Any other color the plates stand out like a sore thumb.

Doesn't that mean you won't have to get them until the current plates expire?

Regardless, the colours are shall we say less than pleasing to the eye.

Designed to clash with your car regardless of what color it is.