State Assembly to block new plates

Albany, N.Y. (WIVB) - State Assembly leaders issued their announcements Sunday evening.

Republican minority and Democrat majority leadership agreed to block plans to require motorists to surrender their existing plates and get new ones, during fiscal years 2010 and 2011.

According to the Governor's office, the fees from the plates would bring $129 million in to New York's coffers.

Governor David Paterson had said that he would consider dropping the fee if there was another way to help close the state budget deficit.  That deficit is estimated at about $10 billion for the remainder of fiscal 2009, plus fiscal 2010, according to the governor's office.

Watch the video with this report for local assembly members' reaction, along with Don Postles' interview with Kathy Hochul, Erie County Clerk.

Don will report live from Albany Monday on News 4 at Noon, 5, 6 and 11, and the 10:00 News on CW23, WNLO.