Assemblyman Marc W. Butler (R,C,I-Newport) is calling for a job-creation agenda with real substance that will help all of New York’s job creators and residents, rather than the Start-Up NY proposal put forth by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The governor’s plan gives tax breaks to business and 10,000 employees who locate in special tax-free zones sited at SUNY and CUNY campuses. Current businesses and residents wouldn’t qualify, but are expected to pay for the program. The Fiscal Policy Institute is not sold on the governor’s plan, and issued a warning that it would, in fact, harm New York’s already struggling economy.
“Cuomo is betting on a plan that rewards newcomers and ignores current residents and job creators who’ve stuck it out during one of the worst economic climates in state history. Personally, I don’t see how that’s going to work,” said Butler. “Let’s get back to the basics – basics with real substance. If you want to see rapid growth and recovery in our economy, we must free our residents, businesses and localities from the numerous burdensome taxes and regulations currently placed on them. That’s when we’ll see real change.”
Currently, about 800,000 New Yorkers remain unemployed. Butler has sponsored legislation that would provide relief from taxes, representing $150 million in job-creating tax relief. Furthermore, there are thousands of regulations on businesses that Butler has proposed to eliminate.
New York has perpetually been ranked poorly by economists, business media publications and other studies in terms of taxation and business climate. The state is ranked 50th by the Tax Foundation, 49th by Chief Executive Magazine, 37th by CNBC, 23rd by Forbes and 50th in economic outlook by the American Legislative Exchange Council. Additionally, a recent Ball State University study gave New York an F in manufacturing climate. Butler says New Yorkers need real relief now.