Press Releases: 10/02/09 ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATURE'S MINORITY CAUCUS COMMENTS ON 2010 PROPOSED BUDGET 09/10/09 Legislative Republican Caucus Votes to Sustain County Executive's Veto of Local Law 09/08/09 Erie County Legislature Demands Equal Funding for Road and Bridge Projects From State 09/01/09 Bee column 06/09/09 THREE ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATORS SEEK TO DOWNSIZE LEGISLATURE AND CREATE TERM LIMITS

John J. Mills - District 13 April 24, 2009 LEGISLATOR MILLS SUPPORTS REMOVAL OF VEHICLE USE TAX (East Aurora, N.Y.)- Erie County Legislator John J. Mills, 13th District, has co-sponsored a resolution supporting the removal of the "Erie County Motor Vehicle Use Tax". New York State created the Vehicle Use Tax as an option for county governments to use to generate revenue. Erie County sought and obtained authority to implement the tax in 2005. The Vehicle Use Tax, based annually on the weight of vehicles, results in a $20 additional fee imposed upon most vehicle owners in Erie County when they obtain or renew their biennial vehicle registration. "This fee is yet another burden on the already overburdened taxpayers of Erie County," Mills said, "It is neither fair to motorists nor positive for taxpayers in Erie County. In light of the unprecedented increases in taxes and fees by New York State, Erie County should provide some relief to its taxpayers by eliminating this unfair Vehicle Use Tax." Mills stated that the tax could be removed through implementing the "FAIR Deal for Erie County Taxpayers" plan presented by the Erie County Legislature Minority Caucus, which he leads, earlier this year. "As part of the 2009 budget process, the minority caucus submitted budget amendments proposing spending cuts which would have more than paid for eliminating the $5.2 million collected through the Vehicle Use Tax. The legislature did not consider our amendments. I am hopeful that my colleagues will join me in revisiting our proposals, implementing FAIR Deal initiatives and eliminating this unfair tax." The resolution has been sent to the Legislature's Finance and Management Committee for further discussion and consideration. Back to District 13 Homepage