Big money for schools, shaky revenue sources in state budget

ALBANY -- The state Legislature passed a $121.7 billion budget Wednesday that will include $1.5 billion in new taxes, $205 million in new fees and $200 million in member items -- or pork barrel spending -- that politicians can direct back to their own districts.

Legislators expect the state to raise $66.4 million for an optional new driver's license or ID card that would add $30 to the current $50 license fee and give the user the ability to cross some borders, including Canada's.

Another $28 million is expected to come in from a new surcharge on traffic tickets and another $70 million will come from a new assessment on health insurers.