Statement From Senate Republican Leader Flanagan

Senate and Assembly Democrats have wasted weeks on their singular obsession with getting a peek at President Trump’s taxes, and in that time they’ve done absolutely nothing to help hardworking, middle-class taxpayers struggling to provide for their families and make ends meet.

The truth is they don’t care about real taxpayers, or they wouldn't have crafted a state budget that raised taxes by more than a Billion dollars this year and $4.5 Billion in 2020 – among them new taxes on internet purchases, a new tax on prescription drugs, a new commuter tax, and a new tax on driving Upstate that will hurt the tourism industry.

To reverse this Democrat tax assault, Senate Republicans will today advance an important amendment to help everyday taxpayers who are paying their bills and struggling to get by.

First, we accelerate the middle class income tax cut to give families more of the relief they need and deserve now – not years from now – to deliver an additional $370 million in relief this year, and a total savings of $2.2 billion over six years.

Next, we extend the property tax rebate program that Democrats let lapse in their newly-adopted budget. Without it, taxpayers Upstate, in the Hudson Valley, and on Long Island will lose $1.3 billion in direct tax relief next year and every year thereafter. Families have come to count on those checks delivered to their homes to help with rising costs, and they should not be eliminated just so Democrats can save a few dollars.

And finally, we repeal the shortsighted changes Democrats made in the budget to the STAR program. Those changes have already confused many New Yorkers and will ultimately put promised tax relief for tens of thousands of hardworking taxpayers at risk. No taxpayer should have to jump through hoops to get the tax relief they are entitled to.

It’s time for Democrats in Albany to stop seeking cheap headlines and to join us in delivering real and meaningful tax relief to millions of hardworking, middle-class families who desperately need it. Senate Republicans will always stand with taxpayers. What on earth are the Democrats waiting for?

Please click to view today’s session: https://www.nysenate.gov/calendar/sessions/may-22-2019/session-5-22-19