Statement from Senator Steve Saland on 2010-11 State Budget

There is good news and there is bad news.  The good news is the state budget has passed.  The bad news is the state budget has passed.

When fully implemented, the 2010-11 State Budget adds $2.2 billion in higher taxes, bringing the total to more than $14 billion over the last two years.  Rather than cutting back on state spending, the Democrat Leadership of this State chose to raise our taxes to balance the budget.  They stripped us of our STAR rebate checks last year and this year they have eliminated our sales tax exemption on clothing and shoes.  But that’s not all; the list goes on and on.  I guess they figure we are not paying enough in taxes already.  The Democrat leadership still hasn’t accepted the reality faced by millions of New York families and businesses struggling to live within their means.  As taxpayers, we can’t spend what we don’t have. Similarly, the State should accept they must operate within their means – not increase taxes but cut spending.

A New York family of four making $50,000  is paying $3,426  more in taxes and a family of four making $80,000 is paying $5,486 more due to the irresponsible budgets over the last two years. 

This is destructive to New York.  Right now we need businesses to set up shop and bring jobs to our area.  Instead of providing job creation incentives, as proposed by the Senate Republicans, this current leadership chose to significantly reduce the state’s economic development program.  We need jobs, not more taxes.

When will this current leadership realize they cannot keep hammering us with more taxes?  Enough already.