TAX SMACKS ARE DOUBLE TROUBLE

NY POST ^ | 5/3/03 | KENNETH LOVETT

[finnman69]

May 3, 2003 -- ALBANY - Legislative leaders struck a deal with Mayor Bloomberg yesterday on a $2.7 billion Big Apple relief package that would hike city income and sales taxes - but Gov. Pataki threatened a veto. Under the plan, the city would be authorized to raise its 4.25 percent sales tax by one-eighth of 1 percent and hike its income tax rate on residents making more than $100,000 and even more on those making over $500,000.

[finnman69]

Here go the real estate pries. As the city makes it harder for families to stay in the city,they will leave, driving down tax revenues even more. The tax on couples (families) over $150,000 is really discusting.

[finnman69]

NY Republicans make me sad sometimes. This is one of those times.

[finnman69]

Oh, and a reminder to other NYers. Subway fares go up to $2 from $1.50 tomorrow. Have a nice day.

[NYDave]

Somewhere along the line, it's been said that people who live in New York City and make $100,000 per year are rich. Sorry guys, but $100K per annum in this very heavily taxed and outragously expensive city is solid middle class. Try and raise a family, avoid the horrible public schools, pay the extortion fees of the public utilities (Con Ed), etc., etc., and you'll find out how far a pre-tax $100K goes. The gov. should look into the bloated infrustructure of state and city employment and start saving money by making more and more cuts there. In my working lifetime, of over 35 years, I've been mostly private sector, but I've worked, briefly, for the fed and a county gov. There is incredible inefficiency and waste in the public sector. Hey guys, clean it up or your tax base will be moving to FL or TX where they don't have a state income tax.

[Digger]

Everybody here was sooo excited when Bloomberg won. Again I could'nt see it. I don't live there but my impression is that he is the worst mayor I can recall for you NY'kers.

[finnman69]

The reason we were excited was we knew how liberal and awful Markgreen was. We also had hope Bloomberg might in principal apply some moderation on what is politically a liberal city.

So If the tax hikes go through and I have to eat it, Bloomberg is done for me.

[NYDave]

I sense that the excitment was the defeat of Mark Green who is an old school LIB/DEM. However, Bloomie is a dyed in the wool LIB who changed his stripes to get the job. I don't mind him cutting some administrative jobs as gov. jobs, many of them, are just another form of welfare. I don't like to see cops or fire cut. They're too essential and, in this man's opinion, underpaid (remember 9/11, I was there). I do disagree with massive tax hikes. That is counter productive for any economy. We'll have to see how Bloomie plays out as mayor in the longer term. I think he may be a one term mayor, but I'm fearful of who may follow. This city and state has to get more lean and mean in terms of spending, not just to deal with the existing bad economy, but for the longer term future of this region. Thanks for the response.