Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the 2013-2014 Executive Budget yesterday, and while there do not appear to be any significant tax increases, there are some things that might act like a tax.
The new budget calls for an end to something most drivers take for granted. As it stands now, in most municipalities, if a driver is given a speeding ticket, s/he can pretty routinely negotiate it downward by pleading not guilty and showing up to the court date. Most municipalities work with the driver and adjust the ticket downward. Such deals save drivers money on the tickets as well as from future negative ramifications with their insurance premiums. Win/win, right? Not if this new budget stands.
Cuomo's budget not only makes such negotiations more difficult, it adds an $80 state surcharge to other, lesser traffic infractions. All that would make for a very expensive ticket (New York Times).
Will the budget pass without significant modifications? That seems doubtful considering that the governor also called for an increase to the state minimum wage, a move the state senate Republicans are unlikely to back.
If it does, or if this part of it does, it might pay to drive a little more carefully while in New York. You can explore the proposed budget for yourself here.
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