Long to Spitzer: Compromise in Politics is Leadership

Ft. Hamilton Station, NY – Conservative  Party Chairman, Mike Long, urged Governor Spitzer to keep the promises he made to the voters of New York when he stated that we can take it to the bank that there will be no new taxes.  In a letter sent to the Governor, Long, urged him to adopt the Senate Majority’s proposals to reject his call for a half-billion dollar increase on New York’s businesses.  The text of the letter follows:

As you are well aware, the Conservative Party has been very vocal on this year’s budget negotiations. 

We believe that you are trying to contain the out-of-control health care costs in New York State and we believe that you are doing what is best for students when you call for more Charter Schools.

However, we also believe that you are being unrealistic when you call for an increase in business taxes.  You call this portion of your budget proposals “closing loopholes” on business, when in fact, it is increasing taxes on business in New York. 

As you continue to negotiate this year’s budget (which we have repeatedly stated spends far too much) we urge you to listen to the Senate Majority and adopt their position of “no new taxes” for businesses in New York.

To suggest that New York businesses can afford an additional half-billion dollar tax increase, at a time when every major study indicates that New York businesses are already paying more taxes than competing locations, is not in New York’s best interest.  Additional taxes burdens on businesses will only encourage them to leave New York or encourage them to cut benefits and/or employees.

New York needs to encourage businesses to stay and expand, which is a promise you made to the voters of New York when you were campaigning.  

You told us, the voters of New York, that we could take it to the bank that you would not raise taxes, yet your very first budget proposals seeks to increase taxes.

New York’s budget spends too much and the proposal to tax business an additional half-billion dollars does little to slow the growth of spending, in fact, it encourages spending.

Negotiating in good faith leads to compromises and it is time for each leader to adopt the good proposals in the budget and benefit all New Yorkers.

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