New Proposed NY Budget

[PilotJeff]

Did a search and couldn't find anyone else posted this, so if it's a double post, I'm sorry.

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2008/12/16/2008-12-16_gov_david_paterson_unveils_dire_new_york.html

Some important points:
* A 3.3%, or $698 million, reduction in school aid.
* $3.5 billion in health care savings, including reductions in payments to hospitals and nursing homes.
* Video slot machines at Belmont Park, more multistate lottery games and expanded hours for the state's Quick Draw lottery game.
* Layoffs for 521 state workers and the elimination of seven state agencies.

Additional items the state is considering raising fees and taxes on:

*
An "iPod tax" that charges state and local sales tax for "digitally delivered entertainment services" - in other words, that new Beyonce song you download.
*
State sales tax at movie theaters, sporting events, taxis, buses, limousines and cable and satellite TV and radio.
*
Costlier driving with the repeal of the 8-cents-per-gallon sales tax cap on motor and diesel motor fuel, plus and increase in the auto rental tax.
*
Tuition increases at SUNY and CUNY, $620 and $600 a year respectively.
*
A 50 cent tax on cigars. The current tax is equal to 37% of the wholesale price, or 34 cents a cigar.
*
No more sales tax break on clothes and shoes worth $110 or less, except during two weeks a year.
*
Higher taxes on wine, beer and flavored malt beverages. He would also impose an 18% tax on non-nutritional drinks like soda.
*
The rich would pay more for luxury items through an additional 5% tax imposed on cars costing more than $60,000, aircraft costing more than $500,000, yachts costing at least $200,000 and jewelry and furs costing in excess of $20,000.
*
In addition, a host of a fees, including those related to motor vehicle licensing and registration, parks and auto insurance, would go up, as would various state-imposed fines.

[Zorro]

This is the classic Carney and Rube scenario. Patterson proposes 88 new taxes and fees. We all get up in arms and they pass 10 or 12 and look like heroes.

[PilotJeff]

My thoughts exactly. They propose the "18% soda tax" and then get everyone upset. After deciding against the "Soda Tax" they seem like heroes, everyone is happy, and they slip a huge education or health care budget cut past the public.

[spankyfrank]

You can't escape taxes no matter who or what you are. So you just gotta grin and bear it.

[Zorro]

My thoughts exactly. They propose the "18% soda tax" and then get everyone upset. After deciding against the "Soda Tax" they seem like heroes, everyone is happy, and they slip a huge education or health care budget cut past the public.

New York doesn't cut budgets so don't worry.

[HBox]

New York doesn't cut budgets so don't worry.

Other than those massive school and health care cuts its looks like you are right.

[Kevin]

Other than those massive school and health care cuts its looks like you are right.

Be happy, all that money goes to the Yankees silly.

Who needs school and health care.

[FezsAssistant]

We already spend too much on schools. Schools will improve when parents take responsibility and start 'parenting' again.

[SatCam]

Did the governor see this yet?

[HBox]

Be happy, all that money goes to the Yankees silly.

Who needs school and health care.

Everybody's pissed now but when CC waddles out to the mound opening day it will all be worth it.

[Kevin]

Everybody's pissed now but when CC waddles out to the mound opening day it will all be worth it.

Who gives a shit that our kids can't count to strike 3. They will just see the crowed go wild and know its a good thing when CC strikes people out.

The fans that don't have polio that is.

[KingModem]

Obviously taxes will raise if based on percentage (ie Goods rise in price, and tax intake rises in unison).

But....these taxes will not decrease in the future, and at what time will they fix whatever is causing the problem?

What if people cut down on luxury/leisure items (such as ballgames, etc.) are they still going to inflate those prices? Traditional belief is that demand will dictate supply in sports, but this is scary.

[Devo37]

for the first time, i have to drive to get to work (from queens to nj). already, the toll at the hudson river tunnels doubled from $4 to $8. then there was the $4/gallon gas during the summer, now they're gonna put tolls on the east river bridges. and now's not the best time to start looking for a new job.

i think the world is conspiring against me.

[Doogie]

:::Adds some more gun oil to the barrel of my rifle. Cleans off the scope:::

Time to march...helter skelter.

Seriously though...I agree with all that everyone is saying. This is a fucked up, dark time in our nations history.

[conman823]

“Since 1990, the world has changed dramatically, but the basic welfare grant has stayed the same, and the challenges facing the neediest among us have only increased,” said Paterson. “Though our resources are limited, this is a much needed investment to help assist vulnerable New Yorkers who are suffering as a result of the current economic crisis, far too many of whom are children.”

Its amazing how we can nickel and dime the middle class/ WORKING CLASS to death in the name of this Second comming of the Great Depression, but find a little room for freeload funding.

Cutting funding to already underfunded school is horrible, but again time for a free welfare pay raise.

This guy is soooooo done in 2010. Unless the lazy welfare people get off the couch and vote........which won't happen.

[conman823]

for the first time, i have to drive to get to work (from queens to nj). already, the toll at the hudson river tunnels doubled from $4 to $8. then there was the $4/gallon gas during the summer, now they're gonna put tolls on the east river bridges. and now's not the best time to start looking for a new job.

i think the world is conspiring against me.



Sorry, I live on Staten Island and have to PAY to get home from anywhere in the world. Including the VZ which was suppose to be free to me. No sympathy for the people using the East River Crossings.

[pennington]

We're going to have similar cuts/tax increases in NJ.

And what did I read yet another article about in the local newspaper this morning? Caroline Kennedy may be a Senator. Camelot. Ted Kennedy thinks it's a good idea.

In 1960 you had to be 21 to vote. That would make any surviving people who voted for John Kennedy age 70 or older. The good old days.

Let's see if Gov. Patterson is serious about the state budget and names someone competent Senator who can get federal help for the state or someone who's charming at fund-raisers. Actually, if he's smart, he'll appoint himself Senator and let someone else handle the state budget.

[JimBeam]

We just had a bunch of layoff at my job and that supposed tax on non-diet sodas will probably cause them to fire a few more.

Sales on soda as a whole have plummeted and now they wanna tax it more ?

Fascists !!!

[JerseySean]

Who gives a shit that our kids can't count to strike 3. .

And that has to do with money in schools? Uh no. How about taking on the teachers unions.

God forbid NY actually lives within its means and doesnt tax residents to death.