Morahan reacts to gov.’s state of NY state speech
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- January
- 7
State Senator Thomas Morahan, R-New City, issued a statement today in reaction to Gov. David Paterson’s State of the State speech, in which the gov outlined a rather bleak future for us New Yorkers.
Paterson, and the state Legislature, are trying to close a $15.4 billion deficit over the next two years, the worst deficit ever faced by New York state. The governor has proposed a $121 billion budget for 2009-10, which keeps spending flat from the current fiscal year.
The Legislature, including Morahan, is required to pass a spending plan by April 1, but Paterson wants it passed by March 1, saying such action would save the state about $1.3 billion.
Tough though times are, Morahan says taxes and fees must be the last resort.
“At a time when so many New Yorkers are worried about their financial future, tax and fee increases should be the last resort, not the first,” Morahan said. “I will continue to stand strong in opposition to increasing taxes or making cuts that would force increases in local property taxes.”
Read Morahan’s full statement, verbatim, after the break.
SENATOR MORAHAN ON GOVERNOR’S STATE OF STATE MESSAGE: “TAXES AND FEES
SHOULD BE LAST RESORT, NOT FIRST”
State Senator Thomas P. Morahan, who represents Rockland County and a
portion of Orange County commented on Governor David Paterson’s State of
the State message, which painted a grim picture of the state’s finances.
Morahan agreed with the Governor that the top priorities during the 2009
session are going to be addressing the multimillion dollar budget deficit
and working to turn around New York’s economy.
“However, my priorities are going to be protecting taxpayers from massive
tax hikes; fighting for property tax relief; creating jobs and turning
around the economy; and working for changes that make state government
work better and get results, ” said Morahan.
The Governor’s plan impacts everything from the public education, the
availability of health care, and the taxes New Yorkers must pay.
“The Governor’s budget includes more than $6 billion in tax and fee
increases. At a time when so many New Yorkers are worried about their
financial future, tax and fee increases should be the last resort, not the
first. I will continue to stand strong in opposition to increasing taxes
or making cuts that would force increases in local property taxes,” said
Morahan.
Morahan noted that on December 15, 2008 the Senate approved a plan that
would redirect existing state funds into tax breaks for small businesses
that employ millions of New Yorkers and could create even more jobs if
their tax burden was smaller. “We need to close the budget gap and help
New Yorkers by strengthening our economy and helping businesses grow and
create jobs that generate more revenue for state and local governments,”
said Morahan.
“I plan to work with Hudson Valley Senators, Members of the Assembly,
Democrats and Republicans, as well as our Governor to address state and
regional budget problems. I am confident that in a bipartisan spirit we
will do what is needed to move our state forward,” said Morahan, who
starts his sixth term in the Senate.
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, January 7th, 2009 at 6:26 pm by Laura Incalcaterra. 
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