The Assembly is doing a good job of thumbing its collective nose at the miscreants in the Senate by showing how much work it is accomplishing.
As to how many of the dozens of bills being passed by the Assembly are worthy of passage is up for debate. However, let us point out some gems that were passed by the members of the Assembly last week:
A8559 — Relates to the prohibition of the sale of the Tasmanian forester kangaroo.
(It might be an endangered species, but let”™s not include it in our state laws.)
A8405C — Establishes the War of 1812 200th Anniversary Commemoration Commission, whose purpose is to promote the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812.
(Apparently what was good for Henry Hudson is good for the War of 1812.)
A1002C ”“ Provides that a voter, claiming to live within an election district in which the voter seeks to vote, be advised of the proper polling place and election district.
(How about just calling the board of elections?)
OK, that”™s a little unfair; there was some meaningful legislation approved last week by the Assembly. Unfortunately it mostly was to benefit New York City.
Bill A8615 would exempt sole-proprietors earning up to $100,000 annually from the Unincorporated Business Tax Credit. The credit currently covers independent business owners earning up to $60,000. The measure would save city taxpayers about $25 million annually.?A8131 would create the Biotechnology Tax Credit, providing incentives to small-scale research and development firms. According to a statement by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, the bill seeks to make New York City a “premier location” for the biomedical industry.
A8867 would make New York City”™s tax code more closely conform to the state”™s. Businesses in the city are taxed on a combination of receipts, payroll and property holdings. Under the bill, a business tax liability would be determined by gross revenue receipts only.
But someone has to pay the piper; that”™s where A8866 comes in.
It would give the city the OK to increase the sales tax rate by 0.5 percentage points, bringing the combined sales tax to 8.875 percent. It also would eliminate the local sales tax exemption on electrical and natural gas transmission and distribution services bought by energy service companies.
Said Silver of the legislation: “We are hopeful that these bills will help small-business owners throughout the five boroughs by providing them substantial tax exemptions which help them maintain their bottom line.”
We guess New York state is made up of just the five boroughs.
This kind of in-your-face pork barrel display and hijacking of state money is just as bad as the antics being pulled in the Senate. Both are blatant shows of power.
One piece of legislation that shows promise statewide ”“ with the proviso that it is executed correctly and audited ”“ is A8901, the Green Jobs/Green New York Program. It would create jobs and reduce energy consumption. And speaking of energy, A8825-A would extend the Power For Jobs Energy incentive program that is set to expire next May.?Unfortunately, the Assembly”™s work will all be for naught if the state senators cannot put aside their silly actions and do what they are paid to do.
This battle of the wills needs to come to an end.
Time for some meaningful work, ladies and gentlemen.
The state budget with its deplorable taxes and fees are killing businesses.
How about passing some pro-business legislation whose benefits are statewide and not just tied to New York City interests?
Do you remember talk of capping property tax?
Anyone remember the Tappan Zee Bridge?
How about shrinking government?
How about shrinking legislative pay?
As we continue our series Taxed Out, we invite you to join the discussion.
Do so by sending us e-mails ”“Â 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.
