Assemblymember Cahill Calls For Fiscal Responsibility

I join the Governor in his call for extraordinary fiscal steps to address our budgetary shortfall. At the same time, I am not prepared to renege on commitments that our communities and health care providers relied upon in making their own budgets. This is a golden opportunity to bring about innovation and positive change in the way we do business. We can economize without compromising our basic core values. We can save money and bring our budget into balance without asking any single part of our society to bear an unfair portion of the burden. I support several of the suggestions made, but will demand that everyone be brought in to share the responsibility.

I also urge the Governor to seize this moment to advance innovative ways to save money while delivering essential state services better. For example, let's start the process of consolidating school services to take advantage of the economies of scale and to provide a better range of services for our children. Let's dissolve the layers of local government in this state to create smaller, better, more responsive governing bodies that recognize the realities of our communities rather than clinging to antiquated concepts of bureaucracy. Let's be completely honest and open about legislative and executive initiatives and provide a means of funding important local projects without requiring the horse trading that can lead to abuses.

Over the last 30 years, the wealthiest New Yorkers have had their tax burden shifted significantly on to the shoulders of working New Yorkers. According to a study by the Fiscal Policy Institute,

multimillionaires have seen their state income taxes cut by 50%, while working New Yorkers, including all of those earning between $20,000 and $250,000 a year, have seen their state and local tax burden nearly double. Let's take this moment to recognize that it is not just state government that is having a hard time making ends meet. Let's readjust our tax code in this state to make our system fair to working New Yorkers, to retirees on fixed incomes and to young families who are just starting out. To be sure it does not start a feeding frenzy, it should be budget neutral. A good place to start is by replacing the local property tax with a state income tax to pay for education.

I share the Governor's view that we have to scale back and take quick and decisive measures in recognition of the fiscal realities of the state. I hope he shares my view that we are not alone in our economic troubles and takes steps to ease the burdens for New York's families. This winter, many people will be facing heating bills that are simply unaffordable. That, together with ever-escalating local taxes can literally force families and seniors out onto the streets. A responsible government will address all of these issues. I am prepared to go back to Albany today to get that done. I urge the Governor and my colleagues in the Assembly and Senate to do the same.

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