Hempstead Supervisor Anthony Santino wants the state to remove the "I Love New York" signs that have popped up across Long Island and the rest of the state.

Santino called the signs distracting and useless, adding to visual pollution.

"Take these humungous, ugly billboards down now," said Santino.

Santino argued that reading the signs takes the same amount of time as sending a text message. He also called them expensive, with a price tag of nearly $2 million for more than 500 signs statewide.

The state posted the signs along state roadways to promote tourism, but Santino doesn't buy that they work.

"We don't agree," he said. "Contrary to the state's position, they're pointless. They offer no specific information or directions to local attractions." 

New York is also feeling the pressure from the federal government to pull the signs. The state risks losing federal funds if it doesn't lose the signs. A spokesperson with New York's Transportation Department says that the signs are a key part of the state's effort to promote tourism. They say the signs are legal and that they look forward to meeting with federal officials this month to resolve disagreements.