This week, Governor Paterson delivered his annual State of the State address in which he presented New Yorkers with his plan to bring the economy back and out of the poor economic climate that we are currently enduring. I thank the governor for being dedicated to resolving New York’s fiscal crisis. Unfortunately, his budget plan is riddled with new or increased taxes and fees as well as increased spending and will only further the financial struggles of New York’s middle class.
In his speech, the governor mentioned only a couple of his proposed 137 new or increased taxes and fees, which total over $6 billion. He did not reveal, however, how much these proposals will actually cost the average New Yorker. Our Assembly Minority Conference computes that, if all of these proposals are passed, the average New York family will be paying an extra $3,875.48 a year.
The affected goods and services include cable and satellite TV, pay-per-view movies, cigars, discount coupons, haircuts, beauty salons, health club services, weight loss programs, digital music downloads, non-diet soda, Gatorade, beer, wine, car rentals, taxis, movies and even health insurance. Taxes and fees will also be placed on sporting events, gasoline, clothing, jewelry, footwear, automobiles and registration and driving fees, just to name a few. It is incomprehensible that in a time when so many families are already being forced to tighten their belts the governor is asking them to take on even more.
Our top priority during the 2009-10 budget process is to formulate a plan to decrease state spending, eliminate wasteful spending and accomplish this without increasing the financial burden placed on the residents of New York. We are going through hard economic times, but New Yorkers have proven repeatedly that they are resilient and will bounce back. I look forward to working with the governor and my colleagues in the state Legislature to pass a fair and reasonable budget given the economic circumstances in which we find ourselves.