White Plains CitizeNetReporter - <i>Adam In Albany:</i> Pataki Lays On $6.7 Billion in Hidden Taxes

WPCNR'S ADAM IN ALBANY. By NYS District 89 Assemblyman Adam Bradley. April 25, 2003: Governor Pataki made many promises not to raise taxes in the past year. Then he released his disastrous budget plan full of what he called “difficult choices.” But for all his rhetoric, the governor’s budget – with its nearly $6.7 billion in hidden taxes and drastic cuts to vital programs – is full of wrong choices.

Creating higher taxes, impoverished schools

The governor’s attempt to take $1.4 billion from our schools – the largest proposed education cut in state history – is absolutely the wrong choice. Not only does it jeopardize our children’s future, but it will force an increase in local property taxes – replacing the rising stars in our classrooms with the fallen STARs of inflated property taxes and impoverished schools.

Locally, the governor proposed cutting $48 million to Westchester schools. On top of this, the governor wants to freeze the basic STAR program, which has saved eligible Westchester homeowners an average of $2,490 in property taxes a year. Pataki’s plan to freeze STAR property tax cuts would cost taxpayers millions statewide.

Pushing hidden taxes on Westchester families

After failing to take advantage of the longest economic expansion in our nation’s history, the governor is now attempting to pick the pockets of our families with a budget containing numerous hidden fees and back-door expenses that amount to nearly $6.7 billion in new taxes. Many of these would make everyday life more expensive for millions of New Yorkers.

The governor has proposed other hidden taxes; including:

o hiking SUNY tuition $1,200, while slashing tuition assistance by a third;

o raising fees for the Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage program by 10 percent while rolling back recent improvements; and

o imposing a “sick tax” on many health care providers, who will have to pass the cost on to consumers. I believe that health care is already expensive enough and that maintaining costs must be a priority as we fight to ensure that New York has an adequate health care system.

Fighting to protect our quality of life

During these difficult budget negotiations, I will fight for a budget that is fair for all New Yorkers. I will work in a bipartisan manner to create a budget that protects what’s important to Westchester families – things like good schools and quality health care. I urge the governor to join with us so that we make the right choices for Westchester and all of New York.

Adam T. Bradley, Albany, NY


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