A series of bills authored by Assemblyman Joseph Borelli (R,C,I – South Shore) are intended to ease the financial burden and allay the stress of over-regulation on drivers.
The first would modernize the motor vehicle law in New York to require a vehicle inspection once every two years instead of the current annual inspection. Most states have no inspection requirement at all, and those that do are often biennial or only required after the sale of a used vehicle. The bill would be in compliance with the federal requirement that major cities conduct an emissions inspection biennially.
“In a state with notoriously cumbersome vehicle insurance rates, taxes, and tolls that continue to rise, regulatory compliance also cannot be allowed to further squeeze New York’s drivers. The annual vehicle inspection is an antiquated concept and has no place in a contemporary and progressive New York,” said Borelli. “Cars continue to be built cleaner and safer, and will continue to be so if we follow the same biennial inspection rules as many other states.”
The second bill would create a commuter benefits program for New York City drivers in line with the current and popular commuter benefits programs for public transit riders. Employers would be able to offer their employees a pre-tax credit each month to be spent on tolls that they encounter on the way to and from their place of work. The maximum contribution would be capped at $130 each month, and balances would be rolled over from one year to the next so long as the employee remains with their employer.
“Nobody should be prevented from benefiting from a government-sponsored program just because they live in a less mass transit-connected area,” said Borelli. “Many of my neighbors don’t have the option of taking public transportation to and from work. They shouldn’t lose a commuter tax incentive simply because they must buy, maintain, and drive a car to travel to their place of employment.” A third bill authored by Assemblyman Borelli would address the “right on red” ban in New York City, amending the law to allow for motorists traveling in Richmond County to make right turns at red lights unless a sign is in place prohibiting such a turn.
“Staten Island resembles all other suburban counties in the state and in New Jersey, where right turns on red lights are permitted. This would be no more of a problem than it is in those places, and would allow for quicker local traffic,” said Borelli.