‘I Love NY’ signs coming down after federal spat
New York state officials confirmed that hundreds of ‘I Love New York’ tourism signs will be pulled down from state highways.
After a long running dispute, the signs will be replaced to avoid the withholding of $14 million in funds threatened by federal authorities.
Governor Andrew Cuomo had previously refused to remove them.
Federal government contends the signs are a safety hazard for motorists.
New signs are already reportedly in the works, state officials said and will be installed by the summer.
The new signs will support a new tourism campaign but will only be installed after agreement with federal officials.
"As the current campaign and signs are entering their fifth year, this message has run its useful course and we already plan to launch a new ‘I Love NY’ campaign this summer to support our tourism industry," Department of Transportation commissioner Paul Karas said a statement.
"The new campaign will be ‘NY has it all."
Meanwhile Staten Island Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis slammed the Cuomo administration’s handling of the matter.
"This is another example of how we’re continuing to hit people over the head. It’s an incompetence on [the] government to have put these signs up being that it’s a violation of federal law , then there was an arrogance not taking them down."
Republican gubernatorial candidate Sen. John DeFrancisco also criticized Cuomo and wants a hearing on why emergency state funds were used to erect the signs.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent