Dean Skelos Voted To Raise Taxes 100% Of The Time Between 2002-2010
June 22, 2010
(New York, N.Y.)–Since 2002, Republican Senator and Minority Leader Dean Skelos has voted for tax increases every time. Yet, when it came to voting for the one tax that is perhaps the most critical to protecting the health and businesses New York and Nassau Coutny, Dean Skelos voted to put his own political posturing and opportunism first today.
“For nearly three decades, Dean Skelos led this state to fiscal ruin by passing irresponsible tax hikes that cost taxpayers billions of dollars,” said Josh Cherwin, New York Senate Dems Executive Director. “Now, when faced with a very specific tax that actually helps the people of New York, he refuses to support it out of some newfound desire to be a fiscal conservative. It is absurd.”
The Senate Republicans have been vocal about their objections to any new taxes, but between 2002 and 2010, at least 10 Republicans have voted for every single tax increase. On average Republican Senators have supported voting for tax increase 98% of the time. All Senate Republicans have supported tax increase at least 90% of the time.
Faced with an electorate that is increasingly upset with years of Republican tax-hikes that have left the state a fiscal mess, Republicans are now singing a different tune in order to hoodwink New Yorkers.
“Republicans like Skelos were in charge of the New York Senate for over forty years. For all their years in power, they accomplished little and achieved less for New Yorkers,” said Cherwin. “A return of Skelos and the Republicans would be more of the same, no matter what bill of goods they try to sell with cheap political rhetoric.”
Today’s legislation included a $1.60 increase in the tax on a pack of cigarettes – effectively helping to limit long-term health costs smokers routinely have.
Today’s budget resolution also put Native American businesses selling cigarettes on equal footing with small businesses. For years, the revenue collection on Native American businesses has been unenforced, creating a virtual black market for non-tribal members and giving Native American businesses and unfair advantage.
The combined revenue of both measures would bring in $440 million to New York State and help support health care programs.
Posted by News LI Editor · Filed Under Business
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