What triggered this thread was that I was sitting last evening with George Latimer who is now a NY State Senator for the (mostly) eastern side of Westchester County. (As an aside, George and I are members of a service organization that annually runs a car show in Mamaroneck to benefit local charities.)
In 2007 when George was a member of the Assembly on the transportation committee, I had written him at length (which was probably a mistake.. anything longer than one page is not going to be read) about my support for the SEMA bill and my personal experience in trying to get a car registered through the NY DMV process.
I spoke to him about the letter and the bill and he indicated (a PC correct response) willingness to receive a copy of the letter and refresh his recollection of what had taken place now some five years ago with the bill.
George Latimer's District 37 (gerrymandered as only NY can do) can be found at
District 37 | New York State Senate
I give the crew over in Connecticut a lot of credit for pushing the bill there and managing to get a public hearing. It would be nice if we could get it that far here, but given the relatively limited numbers of replica car enthusiasts, it will not happen without the hotrod and street rod crowd getting more involved as well. That's what it took over in Connecticut.
Jim
PS: ...and the motive to collect sales tax should be more than enough of an initiative alone to at least get us a hearing.