In a New York State of...Taxes

House Majority Leader Adam Hasner brings some interesting articles to our attention, especially compelling after this morning's House session on economic conditions and the state budget.

Leader Hasner notes, "While the news today was sobering, in order to provide some perspective, I am forwarding you these two articles to share with you how the State of New York is proposing to balance their budget which currently has a $15.4 billion deficit.

"As other states choose to reach deeper into the pockets of taxpayers, we should not ask Florida’s families and small businesses to pay more to government at a time when they are already making do with less. We must examine state government and stop spending taxpayer dollars on programs that have outlived their usefulness or exist only to serve the needs of some special interest."

The first article, from New York Daily News, explains that NY Gov. David Paterson "...called for 88 new fees and a host of other taxes, including an 'iPod tax' that taxes the sale of downloaded music and other 'digitally delivered entertainment services.'

"...The proposal, which needs legislative approval, did not include broad-based income tax increases, but relied on smaller ones to raise $4.1 billion from cash-strapped New Yorkers.

"Movie tickets, taxi rides, soda, beer, wine, cigars and massages would be taxed under Paterson's proposal. It also extends sales taxes to cable and satellite TV services and removes the tax exemption for clothes costing less than $110."

The second article, from the NY Post, notes that the "...plan represents the biggest tax hike in state history and slashes services across the board - while still increasing spending by $1.4 billion."

Highlights:

* An "iTunes tax" of 4 percent on videos, music or pictures downloaded from the Internet.
* A 4 percent tax on taxi, limo and bus rides. That means a $10 cab ride would cost 40 cents more.
* A 4 percent entertainment tax on tickets to movies, concerts and sporting events.
* The tax on beer increases 24 cents per gallon, or more than double the current rate, which means about 30 cents a case.
* An 18 percent tax on nondiet soft drinks, which aims to reduce child obesity. A $1.50 can of Pepsi would then cost at least 25 cents more.
* A 4 percent tax on cable TV and satellite services, raising a $100 bill by $4.
* A 4 percent sales tax on clothing and shoes under $500, except for two weeks out of the year.
* Elimination of the law that caps the state sales tax on gasoline at 8 cents per gallon.
* Boosting the average vehicle registration fee for drivers by $11, from $44 to $55. Fees for new or renewed licenses also would increase 25 percent, or increase from $50 to about $62 to renew a license over eight years.

Dems' Shakedowns and Hasner's Golf Swing

Who says it all has to be about the economy? With Florida's legislators back in town, there is always something to blog about...

Two articles today highlight the trouble facing House Democrat Leader Franklin Sands, who has most recently come under fire for allegedly participating in pay-to-play politics. Read the Orlando Sentinel article and the News-Press article.

Meanwhile, House Majority Leader Adam Hasner told the Tallahassee Democrat, "'Our system isn't set up that way,' adding that assignments are based solely on a member's expertise and interest."

"When a reporter asked if the assignments were also based on the quality of their golf swings, Hasner jokingly agreed.

"'Yeah, that's why I don't chair any committees,' he said."

Broward Republican Party re-elects leaders

By Anthony Man, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

The top leadership of the Broward Republican Party — Chairman Chip LaMarca and Vice Chairwoman Cindy Guerra — will run the local party for the next two years.

Republican committeemen and committeewomen elected in the August primary voted overwhelmingly Monday night to re-elect LaMarca and Guerra. Republicans also re-elected Richard Stark treasurer.

The newcomer to the leadership team is Michael De Gruccio, a former president of the Broward Young Republicans. He's the party's new secretary.

None of the leadership team had opposition.

Even though Democrats in Broward outnumber Republicans, LaMarca said in the new year the party would get involved in helping the handful of Republicans running for re-election in cities, towns and villages, and would seek to bolster their numbers.

He also said better Internet-based technology and increasing the number of active committeemen and committeewoman would be high on his priority list as the party looks toward the 2010 gubernatorial and U.S. Senate elections.

Chairman's Greer's Politico Op-Ed

Putting the people back in politics

Over the past 25 years I have had the opportunity to view the Republican Party wearing the hat of a small-town city councilman, political fundraiser, and now as chairman of the state party for the fourth largest state in the nation, during the most important presidential election in my lifetime.

Despite this tremendous opportunity, the role from which I have learned the most was not my last two years as chairman, but the years when, like the majority of Americans, I wore the hat of a small business owner, husband, and father of four. It is through the eyes of a businessman – not the party structure – that I became a Republican. I’ve learned that our party draws its strength not from the principles elected officials talk about, but from the values average Americans live by.

Refocusing on these values, putting partisan rhetoric aside, and putting the people back in politics, Republicans can regain our foundation and focus on serving the people. It’s what we do in Florida. It works for us here, and I believe it’s what we need to do in Washington and across the nation.

Read more here.