April 24, 2009

LEGISLATOR RATH SUPPORTS REMOVAL OF VEHICLE USE TAX

(Amherst, N.Y.)- Erie County Legislator Edward A. Rath III, 15th 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.

"The Vehicle Use Tax has been an unfair burden on the taxpayers of Erie County long enough," Rath said, "To provide some financial relief to taxpayers who face unprecedented New York State tax and fee increases this year is not an unreasonable request. The Vehicle Use Tax, which Erie County has the ability to change, should be eliminated."

Rath 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, of which he is a member, earlier this year. "The minority caucus submitted budget amendments in the 2009 budget and proposed cuts that would have more than paid for the $5.2 million in funds generated by the Vehicle Use Tax. While the legislature did not consider our amendments during budget negotiations, it is my hope that my colleagues will agree to revisit our proposals and implement FAIR Deal initiatives, which will allow us to eliminate this unfair tax."

The resolution has been sent to the Legislature's Finance and Management Committee for further discussion and consideration.

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