BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) – Dozens of activists and state lawmakers are calling on Governor Andrew Cuomo to ease the financial burden on those living in poverty by halting the collection of traffic fines, fees, and court debt during the coronavirus pandemic.
Specifically, the activists are calling on Governor Cuomo to do the following
- Stop jailing or detaining people for unpaid fines and fees and release those who are already detained
- Stop suspending driver's license for not paying or appearing to contest traffic tickets for the state of emergency
- Stop collection of all criminal court fines, fees, surcharges, traffic violation fines, and parole and probation fees
- Waive all late fees, interest accrual, and other consequences from nonpayment or late payments
- Stop assessing and imposing criminal court fees and mandatory surcharges and forgive all outstanding criminal court fees and surcharges
- Order local law enforcement to stop routinely citing people for parking and other minor violations
- Notify the public of the changes
"That inability to pay just became that much more common as we have millions of people out of work because of the pandemic," New York State Senator Tim Kennedy said. "We already know that communities affected by these antiquated fines and fees are often communities of color and low-income New Yorkers. At the same time, these populations are being hit by COVID-19 the hardest and the lack of accessibilities to proper testing and all the other disparities are just magnifying the other problems we are fighting so hard to find a solution to."
