| Here are the details that I would suggest:
Simplify the tax system and make it more progressive
Make New York State income tax equal to Federal: doing so will make it easier to figure out (just use the came result found for the Federal taxes), it will make it more progressive, and it will bring in more income tax revenue
Do things that will decrease property taxes
The extra tax money brought in by linking to Federal taxes will be used to close the budget gap and also provide additional STAR rebates or aide to local schools (so that they can reduce the property tax bill). It could also be used to remove Medicaid costs from the counties, again, reducing property taxes.
Reduce the cost of New York State government
This may be the one for which he receives the most flack, but I think that people throughout the State realize that our government costs too much. He needs to figure out the best way to reduce that cost: presumably, it will need to include cutting headcount, cutting average compensation for State employees, and reducing Medicaid disbursements. What employees, pay, and reimbursements to cut are the tough choices he needs to make. But at the end of the day, we need to spend less on our Government.
Lobby to change the Medicaid reimbursement formula
Having said that, as I understand it, the fraction that the federal government reimburses each state for Medicaid is different. The Governor needs to say-- as loudly as possible-- that this must stop: that equal Medicaid reimbursement is an issue of fairness and a necessity moving forward. Doing so will help offset lower State Medicaid disbursements.
Support small businesses
Small businesses are the source of essentially all "new job creation". So focus on doing things that will help them. Doing so will build them as a constituency of the Governor's and also help create new jobs-- a twofer.
- Eliminate State income tax and other taxes and fees for all businesses with less than $10 million in revenues
- Create an ombudsman position in every state agency with which they need to deal to help them cut through red-tape
- Standardize sales tax throughout the state-- this is a huge headache for small businesses located in New York who have customers in multiple counties
- Offer cheap hydro electric to them
- Streamline all technology transfers from public Universities
- Use a significant part of the pension money controlled by the Comptroller as a venture capital fund for businesses in New York State
The end goal for the Governor will be that he can run on reducing the cost of government, increasing the fairness and ease of taxation, creating jobs by making New York State more friendly to business, and getting a more fair deal from the Federal government.
That's the platform that can win him re-election.
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