This is not shared sacrifice. The Governor proposes to balance the budget in an imbalanced way: by raising taxes on the middle class while simultaneously reducing the services we all rely on.
In this budget there's a tax on almost everything. Drinking, smoking, driving, food, health care, going to the movies, downloading music, clothes and haircuts. In total, it's billions in regressive taxes - "nuisance taxes" - that don't add up to a sensible approach.
There is a fair way to end the fiscal crisis. It's called the Fair Share Tax Reform plan. Prudent spending cuts will be necessary. But common-sense and fairness require that we also ask the state's wealthy to carry their fair share of the load. Right now, they don't, and the Governor is asking everyone to sacrifice except those who can most afford to do so.
That's what shared sacrifice must mean, and we hope Albany leaders will see that.
Amen Mr. Cantor. The Fair Share Tax Reform plan is a good one and one that should be considered. And I agree with the fact that while "prudent spending cuts" are necessary, there is no need to take a hatchet to so many precious programs that help so many New Yorkers in need.
We need a common sense approach. Unfortunately, I think Governor Paterson's budget proposal lacks common sense.
