The state agency that pulls in $1 billion in revenue each year has just found another way to make a little more – maybe a lot more. None of this largesse will be derived from taxes in keeping with Governor Christie’s no-tax pledge. Indeed folks will be more than happy to plunk down money for this cause.
The agency is the Motor Vehicle Commission and the “cause” is vanity. For a one-time fee of $60, a NASCAR fan can purchase his or her own plate along with the name and number of a favorite star. There are several stars to choose from. If you want to personalize the plate, pony up another $50 and MVC will be more than happy to stick your name or another identifying mark on the plate, provided it’s no more than seven characters long.
Motor vehicle agencies have been raising extra cash this way for years in border states like Pennsylvania and New York, where Raymond Martinez inaugurated a similar moneymaker when he was motor vehicle director there. Martinez now holds the comparable job in New Jersey where I’m sure the current variety of vanity plates – which now numbers 161 – will soon rise, perhaps exponentially. Talks should soon get under way (if they haven’t already) with the Devils, Giants, Jets, Eagles, Phillies and any other team that wants to get in on Jersey’s act.
I’m guessing that these transactions will be a can’t-lose revenue source for the Garden State. Ardent fans would much rather dig into their pockets for $110 to root on their favorite teams and players than be forced to pay for state services the old-fashioned way. By the way, it’s not really a one-time fee. After all, if you personalize a Derek Jeter plate next year when the Yankee shortstop turns 37, what will you do with it when he retires at, say, 42? You know what you’ll do. You’ll pay another $110 for a new plate with somebody else’s name and number. Robinson Cano? Mark Texeira? C.C. Sabathia?
If the Yankees can ring cash registers in The Bronx – even when they lose the division series – why shouldn’t they ring them for struggling Team Christie and his numbers crunchers in Trenton, too?