Last month, Governor Andrew Cuomo's administration announced a design competition for the next license plate. The catch: Plates ten years old or older will have to be turned in, with a mandatory $25 replacement fee paid. Republican Senator Jim Tedisco on Wednesday called for hearings on the issue.  

"We'll invite all the Democrats, the Republicans, the DMV, and if they don't show up, I think it says just about as much if they do show up," Tedisco said.

But the Cuomo administration has proposed a compromise to be devised with the Legislature. Older plates found to be in good condition can remain on the road pending an inspection. Peeling or damaged plates would have to be replaced.  

"It sounds good to me. I mean, that's what I'm talking about. Replace the plates that you cannot read that are peeling, but don't charge anyone for those, because you have to charge the company," Tedisco said.  

Local-level officials, meanwhile, remain skeptical of the need to replace license plates, which the governor has said is needed so that cashless tolling cameras on the Thruway can read them.  

"The dancing around this issue and now the back pedaling is even amazing for the state of New York and this governor," said Mary Beth Walsh, Republican assemblymember for Halfmoon.

Cuomo senior advisor Rich Azzopardi in a statement accused the officials of grandstanding and attempting to make a cheap press hit.  

"At this point, Tedisco is talking to himself and it's sad. The ‎DMV commissioner already said he wants to work with the legislature to come up with a cost-effective system before April that adapts to changing technology to ensure plates can be read by both cashless tolling and law enforcement‎.​"

The $25 fee was approved under Governor David Paterson. Cuomo has challenged lawmakers to come back and lower the fee legislatively. Lawmakers say Cuomo can lower the fee himself, based on the law.    

"Do you want a multi-million dollar plate replacement program when you have some of the highest registration fees in the nation right now, and it costs $1.15 for a plate to be made by the state of New York," Tedisco said.

The new plate design could be announced later this week.