Gary D. Finch

     Assemblyman Gary D. Finch (R, C –Springport) and his colleagues said county clerks shouldn’t be held financially liable if Governor Eliot Spitzer sues them over refusal to implement his unlawful plan that would give driver’s licenses to illegal aliens. 

     Finch is supporting “The County Clerks Protection Act,” legislation that would defend and indemnify county clerks who follow the law, upholding their sworn oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution by refusing to implement Governor Spitzer’s proposal to grant illegal aliens state driver’s licenses.  Current law states that if a county clerk is brought up on charges, it then falls to the taxpayers in that particular county to pay costs associated with the legal action.  Finch said the legislation should also prevent the Governor from removing county clerks who refuse to implement his proposal from office.

     “This mandate put forth by the governor is breaking the law and our county clerks should not have had this issue foisted on them,” said Finch.  “I am amazed the governor would be so abrasive as to threaten to sue county clerks for upholding the law because they reject the unwarranted changes to DMV policy that violate Section 502, subsection 1, of the Vehicle and Traffic Law.  The problem started at a state level so it will end at a state level and that’s why we are proposing this legislation.”

     “We are a government of laws, not dictators.  We will stand on the side of sound public policy and a safer, more secure New York by standing with the county clerks who refuse to follow Governor Spitzer’s unilateral actions,” blasted Finch.

     “First, Governor Spitzer crafts his plan with zero public input.  Next, he refuses to release many of the program details.  Now, we hear rumblings that he may bring legal action against county clerks.  Where does it all end?  Will the Governor’s next step be the attempted removal of those clerks who refuse to break the law, as his proposal would have them do?”

     “Spitzer is acting as if he is still Attorney General by threatening actions but he has to realize that approach is neither healthy nor rational in creating good public policy,” exclaimed Finch.

     Assemblyman Finch also mentioned that he is passing a petition to collect signatures of citizens in the 123^rd Assembly District that will be used to urge the governor to reconsider and rescind his actions.  A petition can be attained by calling Finch’s Auburn district office at (315) 255-3045; Owego at (607) 687-8272; or electronically by email at finchg@assembly.state.ny.us.