NY State to suspend driving licenses of tax delinquents

Approved in March, an initiative to suspend the driver’s license of New Yorkers who owe more than $10,000 in back taxes will begin this week.

The state Tax Department will send the first round of 16,000 suspension notices to tax delinquents this week. Scofflaws will have 60 days to respond before receiving a second notice, giving him or her 15 more days. If taxpayer again fails to arrange payment, the license will be suspended until the debt is paid.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo proposed the initiative in January. The state Legislature approved it as part of the state budget, adopted in March. His administration estimates the initiative could generate up to $26 million the first year and $6 million annually after that. Read more >>

New York offers $500 reward for reporting illegal gun owners

Nearly a year before signing the nation's most stringent gun control measure into law, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo launched a hotline that allows state residents to report illegal gun owners in exchange for a $500 reward.

The measure is part of a four-pronged approach established by the governor's office to reduce gun violence in urban communities, according to CBS6Albany.com.

New Yorkers can call the "Gun Tip Line" if they believe someone they know has an illegal gun. Hotline calls are answered by state police and tips are referred to local law enforcement, the station reported.

“This initiative seeks to turn neighbor against neighbor and use their own tax dollars to pay for the $500 reward,” Republican Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin told the station.

Three police agencies contacted by CBS6Albany.com for comment said they have not received tips from state police. Two of the agencies said they were unaware the program existed before this week. Read more >>