I applaud Governor Paterson for unveiling his 2009-10 Executive Budget a full month early. This will allow me and my colleagues in the Legislature to begin the budget process now and hopefully reach an early agreement. This year, Governor Paterson faced some tough decisions while formulating his executive budget. To his credit, he presented a budget plan that he feels will pull New York out of the current fiscal crisis and reduce the deficit. Unfortunately, the governor has misplaced priorities that will result in New York’s middle-class families being left behind.
Particularly, the effect that the governor’s budget will have on the hardworking middle-class property owners is especially worrisome. The governor is proposing to eliminate the Middle Class STAR Rebate program. This program provides New Yorkers with property tax relief in a time when property taxes are the highest they have ever been. With 90 to 95 percent of New York’s middle-class enrolled in the rebate program, this would negatively affect the vast majority of New York property owners.
This budget hurts the middle class in other ways, such as increasing surcharges and fees. The governor has decided to increase the deposits on non-diet soda as well as creating a deposit on non-carbonated beverages. He is also proposing to repeal the sales tax cap on diesel and motor fuel. Just when gas prices have reached reasonable levels, the governor wants to force prices back up, making it unaffordable for many New Yorkers to drive. Let’s face it, these deposits and fees are examples of “hidden taxes” and the governor seems adamant on raising our taxes in some way.
Spending restraint must be utilized to cure our budgetary and economic problems. In the upcoming months, I am going to work with the governor and the Legislature in an effort to produce a bipartisan budget that imposes spending restraints as well as no tax increases.