Conservatives Call Budget Bloated

Ft. Hamilton Station, NY – Conservative Party State Chairman, Michael R. Long, said that while everyone else was "praising" the fact that New York has a budget on April 9, 2008, the budget agreed to is not one that New Yorkers will be comfortable with. In fact, as the details become more public, many will lament that Governor Paterson and the Members of the Legislature had been in such a hurry to settle on the bloated budget.


"I believe that when people realize that the budget still includes $1.4 million for the Lt. Governor's office, when there is no Lt. Governor, they may be ready to "toss the tea" especially when they realize that there is a delay in the Middle Class Star Rebate and an additional $1.7 billion in new taxes and fees," said Long.
 

"It is wrong to continue to tax a legal substance at outrageous levels thereby making it harder for hard working people to purchase cigarettes at their local stores. Smokers will look for cheaper cigarettes at Indian Reservations where no state tax is collected. This places an undue burden on local stores and encourages "bootleggers" to travel and bring in truckloads of untaxed cigarettes. By making cigarettes in New York the most expensive in the Nation, New York will actually lose money and fund terrorists," Long stated.
 

The bloated budget did not make necessary spending cuts, neglected to sell surplus land and continues to allow for the transfer of unencumbered balances to various funds while allowing various state authorities to issue bonds and notes that our great-grand children will be paying. And all teachers will still be eligible for tenure after just three years. Wouldn't you like that same job guarantee? By the way, you will now have to pay sales tax on items ordered from Amazon.com.
 

Record spending did not end; in fact, this year's budget spends 4.9% over last years. You can be certain that the holes in this budget will be filled after the November elections despite what our esteemed Governor has said publicly in the last few days.
 

New Yorkers beware...the bloated budget just passed is not balanced despite the enactment of $1.7 billion in new taxes and fees...they will be back for more.
 

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