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.
