Hey, Albany: Stop hurting, start helping overburdened taxpayers
February 23rd, 2022
Read the full piece by Justin Wilcox here.
In Gov. Kathy Hochul’s 2022 State of the State address, she called New York’s startling outmigration of more than 300,000 residents “an alarm bell that cannot be ignored.” Her recognition of this real crisis is appreciated.
What struggling taxpayers and employers need from our leaders in Albany is action — action that will create opportunities and make New York a more affordable place to live, work and raise a family.
Unfortunately, there are a number of plans and policies currently in play that will only drive up the cost of living in New York and drive out more taxpayers.
For example, the massive cost and minimal results of New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) are eye-opening.
The high-end estimated cost of implementing the CLCPA is $340 billion over the next 28 years. That’s larger than the state’s annual budget. Every single New Yorker would have to shell out $17,000 to cover the massive cost of the CLCPA. Alternatively, $340 billion would cover New Yorkers’ total property tax costs for five years.
With such a huge price tag, it makes sense to expect big results. The reality is the CLCPA won’t make a dent in global greenhouse gas emissions. New York State emits just 0.4% of all global greenhouse gas emissions.
While we agree that climate change is a serious challenge, spending so much and achieving next to nothing makes no sense; especially when it adds to the burden of New York’s taxpayers and employers.
The New York Health Act, which would outlaw private health insurance and replace it with a government-run system, is just as problematic.
This radical proposal, which has collected legislative dust for more than 30 years, would be funded by $253 billion in new taxes and eliminate more than 50,000 Upstate and 160,000 jobs statewide.
Considering the recent mismanagement of large public programs — including the emergency rental program and the unemployment claim system, millions of New Yorkers are right to oppose a new government-run program.
We support efforts to improve our existing system, reduce costs and achieve universal coverage. With 95% of New Yorkers currently insured, this goal is possible without destroying jobs and derailing the state’s economic recovery.
Other measures –including the Extended Producer Responsibility act, lowering the farm labor overtime threshold and so-called “good cause” eviction legislation — are giving New Yorkers more reasons to flee New York for good.
In other words: Enough is enough. Enough with the unrealistic proposals, costly mandates and burdensome regulations. Enough with the ignoring the voices of overtaxed citizens and underappreciated business owners. Enough with bowing down to the special interests that have pushed New York to the brink.
If our leaders are serious about achieving real progress, it’s important that they do two fundamental things: Embrace bipartisanship and enact pro-growth policies.
With the impending changes to legislative districts, it’s going to be critical for Upstate legislators — especially in the Senate — to work together to help their constituents. If Democrats and Republicans fail this challenge, Upstate’s slice of the pie will continue to get smaller and smaller — as will our population.
It’s equally important to advance and enact measures that will help get our economy growing again. Delivering unemployment insurance tax relief to employers, renewing the Brownfield Cleanup Program and investing in employer-led workforce development are just a few examples of what must be done this year to revive our economy and rebuild our communities.
New York’s motto “Excelsior” means “Ever Upward”. And yet, Albany’s top priorities will only contribute to the state’s ongoing decline. Until our elected leaders prioritize affordability and opportunity, Gov. Hochul’s “new era” will lead to the same old results.