New fees for passports could soon be in place, if the Department of State has its way. Under the new proposal, fees for a passport book would increase from $100 to $135 for adults, and $85 to $105 for minors. In addition, a passport card would cost adults $55-dollars, instead of the current $45 and that fee for minors would go up from $35 to $40. Local lawmakers and officials are now speaking out about this plan, and strongly opposing the fee increases.
"If you live in this region, you can cross the beautiful Niagara River and go see attractions in Canada," said Erie County Clerk Kathy Hochul. "We have to keep that up, and I don't want to see some policy out of Washington throw a road block in the way."
Congressman Chris Lee, is now asking Secretary of State Hilary Clinton to scrap the State Department's plan to increase passport fees.
"These costs are too high," said Congressman Lee. "It's going to further dampen our ability to increase traffic across our border. In just the past year alone, the tour bus traffic is down by more than 10 percent because the government imposed their new restrictions on the border that requires a passport."
The Department of State says these fees are necessary to help obtain a higher level of service for the public. There will now be a 30-day public comment period for residents to voice their opinion. If interested in giving a comment to the government, visit: http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#home
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