O’Mara: $1.3 billion Tax Elimination from Budget a

Good Start, But Taxpayers Need More Relief

           Assemblyman Tom O’Mara (R,I,C-Big Flats) is calling the agreement between the governor and legislative leaders to eliminate $1.3 billion in taxes and fees a good start but is urging the state to do more to provide New Yorkers with tax relief during these tough economic times.  Assemblyman O’Mara also voiced his concern that the tax cuts were a result of the federal stimulus money being awarded to the state and not because of a reduction in state spending.   

           “We need to cut spending now or we will find ourselves facing these increased taxes in two years when the stimulus money is not there. We'll be in a worse situation then if we don't cut spending now,” said O’Mara.

O’Mara also noted that the Governor proposed the 137 new taxes and fees in his executive budget during the worst of economic times as a way to maintain Albany’s culture of spending. “While I’m pleased that an agreement was reached to eliminate some of the tax and fee increases, the last thing the government should be doing now is placing any additional burdens on taxpayers. It’s just irresponsible governing,” said O’Mara.

   Taxes and fees that were eliminated today include: sales tax on clothing, the 18 percent “Obesity Tax” on sugary beverages, taxes on cable and satellite television, the narrowing of projects eligible for capital improvement sales tax exemptions, taxes on various services in the city of New York, including salons, tanning and massage services, taxes on various “amusements” including movie tickets, bowling alleys, golf courses and gym memberships, the so-called “iTax” on digital media and downloads and increased sales tax on certain types of store coupons.

“New Yorkers need lower taxes and less government spending. Even with the elimination of these taxes, New Yorkers are still getting a state budget that taxes and spends too much,” added O’Mara.  “It appears the state is still headed in the wrong direction, and while that path might be slightly less painful for now, it is still not the direction we need to move the state in.” 

To get the state back on track, Assemblyman O’Mara is working with his colleagues in the Legislature to eliminate the rest of Governor Paterson’s tax and fee hikes which include the elimination of the sales tax cap on motor and diesel fuel and increased excise taxes on wine and beer and the elimination of the STAR rebate check program just to name a few.

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