The state Department of Motor Vehicles on Friday announced the new state license plate design will feature the New York City skyline, Niagara Falls, the Statue of Liberty and a mountain range.
More than 325,000 votes were cast overall, with the winning design garnering about half the vote and beating out four other options, the department said. Cuomo said Saturday the winning plate was voters' overwhelming choice. The governor added that he didn't cast a vote or "even look at all the selections."
The design announcement comes amid controversy as Republicans and some Democrats have complained about the Cuomo administration's plan to require old license plates to be replaced once a decade, at a cost of $25.
State Senate Minority Leader John Flanagan, R-Long Island, has argued the plan would nickel-and-dime middle class taxpayers.
State DMV Commissioner Mark Schroeder issued a statement Friday saying the new plates are needed for the statewide electronic tolling system. The system, he said, uses cameras to read the plates and charge tolls.
"I look forward to working with the Legislature in the coming months to establish a cost-effective system to distribute the new plates before then," he said in the statement.
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