St. Lawrence County Clerk Patricia A. Ritchie and her fellow county clerks are quick to boast about their success in persuading the state Legislature to scrap a plan to raise $130 million by requiring motorists to purchase new license plates. (See North Country Perspective at top right.) Gov. David A. Paterson has said he will go along with the proposal if alternatives can be found to make up for the lost funds.
So, are Mrs. Ritchie and the rest of the county clerks ready to give up $130 million in state fees to pay for their success?