Posted on 03/29/2007 8:45:41 AM PDT by TitansAFC
---"Over the objections of a furious Mayor Giuliani and city legislators from both parties, the New York state legislature has abolished the New York City commuter tax. The action, done to apparently affect a local legislative race in suburban Rockland County, could cost New York City $360 million. NPR's Margot Adler reports."--- NPR Report
---"Let's face it: Rudy Giuliani argued for the reinstatement of the tax,..."--- NY Sun report
It appears that Rudy argued against the biggest tax cut in NY - the commuter tax - a cut which eventually happened anyway, and has consistently called to reinstate that tax as recently as 2005.
See for Yourself.
Ping 'em if ya got 'em.
Whew ... good thing I don't commute to DC.
More info on this:
MAYOR GIULIANI AND STATE COMPTROLLER McCALL EXPRESS OPPOSITION TO ALBANY'S PROPOSED ELIMINATION OF THE COMMUTER INCOME TAX
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and State Comptroller H. Carl McCall today during a press conference at City Hall announced their opposition to the State Legislature's proposal to eliminate New York City's commuter income tax. The elimination of the .45% commuter tax would cost the City an estimated $360 million annually.
"Today I'm happy to be joined by State Comptroller McCall to express my continued opposition to Albany's proposed legislation to eliminate the commuter income tax," said Mayor Giuliani. "First and foremost, I am the Mayor of New York City, and I feel it is my duty to express my strong opposition to this legislation, which would eliminate the modest .45 percent tax non-residents must pay while working in New York City. While my Administration has brought about more tax relief than any other administration -- $2.2 billion -- this tax is modest, equitable and justifiable. It is less than one-half of one percent and help support many of the City's services enjoyed by non-residents working in our City -- police, fire and transportation, to name a few. It helps to contribute to the subsidized transportation system for commuters which means they pay significantly less than the true cost of transportation."
State Comptroller H. Carl McCall said, "As the Chief Fiscal Officer of New York State and one of the fiscal monitors of New York City, I believe that eliminating this tax, at this time, in this cynical fashion, is a big mistake. While I certainly support reducing taxes, this move by the Governor and the Legislature seems more like a lesson learned in a political science class than one learned in an economics class.
"Any tax cuts in these times of surplus for the City and the State - and let's not be fooled by the good times; these times of surplus will not last forever - should be geared toward economic development and job creation, not political pandering," the Comptroller continued.
"I urge the Governor and Legislature to think about what they're doing - to think about all the reasons this is wrong. I urge them to reconsider and not pass this repeal. I believe the Governor and Legislature should spend less time on the City budget issues and more time on passing a State budget that is now 46 days late," the Comptroller concluded.
When compared to the 3.83 percent personal income tax City residents must pay, the commuter income tax that non-residents pay is a significantly lesser amount.
* A New York City resident with taxable income of $50,000 will pay $1,791.00 a year in personal income tax, while a non-resident, with a similar taxable income, will pay only $225.00 a year in commuter income tax.
* A City resident with a taxable income of $100,000 will pay $3,706.00 a year in personal income tax, while a non-resident, with the same taxable income, will pay only $450.00 a year in commuter income tax.
* A City resident with taxable income of $150,000 a year will pay $5,621.00 a year in personal income tax, while a non-resident, with the same taxable income, will pay only $675.00 a year in commuter income tax.
Some info for the stop rudy ping list to refute the "he's a tax cutting machine" line.
Well, there goes the last of Rudy's "conservative" credentials.
Follow me, just disregard the record...
Well, he still cross dresses conservatively! (insert picture of rudy in pink dress here)
And recent too! The cricket patrol will be along shortly after they get done with their love-in on a poll thread.
"Any tax cuts in these times of surplus for the City and the State - and let's not be fooled by the good times; these times of surplus will not last forever - should be geared toward economic development and job creation, not political pandering," the Comptroller continued.
"I urge the Governor and Legislature to think about what they're doing - to think about all the reasons this is wrong. I urge them to reconsider and not pass this repeal. I believe the Governor and Legislature should spend less time on the City budget issues and more time on passing a State budget that is now 46 days late," the Comptroller concluded.
When compared to the 3.83 percent personal income tax City residents must pay, the commuter income tax that non-residents pay is a significantly lesser amount.
Did I miss something? I thought Rudy was against abolishing this tax or is the comptroller complaining that this is taking time away from the state budget process?
In an unpublished 1988 interview (quoted by Barrett in Rudy!), Helen Giuliani said of her son: "He only became a Republican after he began to get all these jobs from them. He's definitely not a conservative Republican. He thinks he is, but he isn't."
But, but, he can WIN. </s>
He's against it (this press release incorrectly says "computer" tax instead of "commuter" tax).
Nice scam. Charge income tax for people who don't live in your city, but just work there.
STATEMENT BY MAYOR RUDOLPH W. GIULIANI IN RESPONSE TO STATE LEGISLATURE'S REPEAL OF COMPUTER INCOME TAX
"I believe that the legislation repealing the commuter income tax, passed in haste in Albany today, represents a triumph of politics over common sense. This modest .45 tax, which has not been increased in 28 years is just, equitable and the lowest comparable non-resident tax anywhere in the country, including Yonkers. If Albany is truly interested in tax reform that will spur the economy, create jobs and lift real government burdens, they failed miserably today.
Despite the Governor's contrary statements, I would urge him to veto this legislation because it does not have an accompanying home rule message and is therefore illegal.
I got the commuter tax part. Like you said, nice. Tax your locals to death and when they move away, charge them for the privilege of working in NYC.
If Rudy can win, then why didn't he run against Hitlery last fall? If he had defeated her, she would have been out of politics forever -- that is what a "winner" would have done, that's what a LOYAL Republican would have done.
(By the way, the responses the Rudyites have given me to this exact same question are hilarious).
If I referred to an anonymous candidate and I did not give you their party affiliation and gave you the following information:
- The candidate believes in the "right" to abortion, including partial birth abortion.
- The candidate believes in the "right" of homosexuals to have a legal union that resembles marriage.
- The candidate believes in the "right" of illegal aliens to illegally enter and remain in our country.
- The candidate believes government has the "right" to modify the Second Amendment of the Constitution at will to curtail the right to keep and bear arms.
If this was the ONLY information you had, would your conclusion be that this unnamed candidate was a conservative Republican or a liberal Democrat?
Rudy is more liberal than George Bush, if that's possible.
Rat bastid!
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