Tedisco: NYS Budget Must Protect People With Disabilities, Not Late Night Talk Show Hosts

Assemblyman says taxpayer money for “Jimmy Fallon tax cut” should go to restoring services for people with developmental disabilities, not rich and famous in Beverly Hills

March 22, 2013

Assemblyman Jim Tedisco (R,C,I-Glenville) today blasted the so-called tax cut carve-out in the proposed New York State Budget to lure late night talk shows like the “Tonight Show” to New York.

The budget would make state tax credits available for the producers of “a talk or variety program that filmed at least five seasons outside the state prior to its first relocated season in New York.” Jimmy Fallon is reportedly soon to be named as the next host of the “Tonight Show,” which is currently filmed in Burbank, California.

Tedisco is calling on the state to allocate the $5 million the budget has set aside to bring Jimmy Fallon and the “Tonight Show” to New York toward restoring services for people with developmental disabilities.

The Governor’s initial budget cuts funding for the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities by $120 million.

“The role of state government is to have spending priorities and protect our most vulnerable citizens in the state budget. Our priority should be looking out for families and people with developmental disabilities in communities like Ballston Spa, not giving taxpayer-funded handouts to support the lifestyles of the rich and famous in Beverly Hills,” said Tedisco.

“There are some good things in this budget that I support, but it’s outrageous in this fragile economy to spend millions of tax dollars on a late night talk show when thousands of people with developmental disabilities may lose the services they need,” said Tedisco.

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