MORAHAN CRITICIZES NEW TAXES & FEES From ALBANY

MORAHAN CRITICIZES NEW TAXES & FEES From ALBANY

The Governor’s budget incorporates raising $6 billion in additional revenue from nearly ninety new or higher taxes on things like non-diet sodas, beer, wine, cigars, massages, haircuts, movie tickets, downloaded music and cable and satellite television services. Responding to the plan, Republican Senator Tom Morahan argues these kinds of taxes and fees should be the state’s last resort, not the first. Morahan contends the key to closing New York’s over $15 billion dollar budget gap lies in new job creation. Paterson yesterday also reiterated his call to the legislature to get the budget passed by March 1st, something that could save the state as much as $1.3 billion.

Reorganizational proceedings gave Democrats control of the Senate for the first time in over forty years.