“Things in our country run in spite of government, not by aid of it.”
As New Yorkers, we unfortunately know that all too well. It”™s sadly telling the remark was made some 80 years ago by plain-spoken cowboy philosopher Will Rogers. Apparently not much has changed since.
Today, the once grandly named Empire State founders in a sea of political mismanagement and near malfeasance that grows more turbulent as more fees and taxes are added to the backs of growingly disgruntled business owners and residents.
Some business owners are voting with their feet and moving out of the state. Witness Precision Valve, which shut operations in Yonkers in favor of the friendlier tax climes of South Carolina. Perennial gubernatorial candidate and Paychex founder Tom Golisano found he could put $5 million in taxes he pays each year to New York to better use by setting up residence in Florida where there is no personal income tax.
More than half of the Westchester doctors responding to a recent survey said they are ready to pack their bags, as well.
An accounting of how the payroll tax to fund the MTA bailout will affect businesses in the Hudson Valley won”™t be available for several months. But we know it won”™t be pretty. On paper, a tax of 34 cents for every $100 of payroll must have looked like a mere pittance for the lawmakers sitting in Albany. But count on those cents to be more costly to businesses whose revenues have already been shaken by the recession.
The limousine industry, already suffering due to the downturn in the economy, had a new sales tax imposed upon it on June 1. It was one of the 52 new fees and taxes that can be found in the 2009-10 state budget.
Business leaders are also promising to go to Albany to defeat a bill that would create a commercial assessment ratio directed at business, commercial and multifamily residential properties in a county with a population of more than 923,000 but less than 924,000; meaning specifically Westchester County.
Taxes are crushing business in New York state.
Most lawmakers are cowards, voting in blocs to not upset the party fathers.
Independence ”“ in thinking and voting ”“ appears to be nonexistent.
We here at this newspaper have always been independent in thought.
With that in mind, we have begun with this issue a series ”“ Taxed Out ”“ which will include articles examining the burden of taxes and fees and their detrimental effects on businesses in the state.
We invite you to join the discussion.
Do so by sending us e-mails ”“ bobr@westfairinc.com and  cmcbride@westfairinc.com ”“ or by adding your comments below.
Don”™t hold back. Tell us exactly what you think. Offer ways to help fix the problems facing business. We want to help get your voice heard in Albany.
And we won”™t stop here. Over the next several weeks we”™ll talk more about our campaign to get the message to the lawmakers that we are taxed out and we”™re not going to take it anymore.
