Ortt Blocks $1 Billion In New Taxes

Last week, Senator Rob Ortt (R,C,I,Ref-North Tonawanda) and his colleagues successfully blocked $1 billion in additional taxes and fees proposed by Gov. Cuomo in this year’s budget negotiations. Sen. Ortt was also successful in blocking the Assembly Democrats’ proposed spending plan, which would have increased taxes on New York’s residents by a total of $13 billion over the next four years. Instead of increasing taxes, Senate Republicans were able to secure a deal that ensures year two of the $4.2 billion middle-class tax income tax cut will be delivered as promised.

“Affordability was one of the three major aspects my colleagues and I wanted to focus on in this year’s budget, and I’m happy that Senate Republicans were successful in our pushback against the governor’s plan for $1 billion in new taxes,” said Sen. Ortt. “New York is already one of the highest taxed states in the entire country, and the continued nickel and diming of our state’s residents further illustrates the rampant tax-and-spend culture that has entrenched itself with our government.”

Ortt and Senate Republicans were also successful in rejecting Gov. Cuomo’s proposal to cap the state’s STAR benefits program for homeowners and seniors, ensuring they continue to receive every dollar they are owed.

“With so many residents living on fixed incomes these days, it’s vital the STAR checks they receive continue to grow as the costs of living in New York increases. The governor’s attempt to cap the state’s STAR benefits would have essentially been another unwarranted tax on homeowners and seniors, which is something many can ill afford.”

This year’s budget also includes a new way for New Yorkers to save, creating a program that allows employees of private small business to voluntarily sign up for retirement savings through payroll deductions. Employees of these businesses will be now able to utilize the talent and expertise of existing state administrative resources to help invest in their future.

While Ortt and his Senate Republicans colleagues push an agenda, which increases affordability in New York State, the task continues to be an uphill battle. Recent U.S. census data shows that last year, New York saw nearly 200,000 residents leave the state, bringing the total out-migration to one million since the last census in 2010.

###