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North Country Sen. Little proposes plan targeting income, property, energy taxes, would ban new unfunded mandates

Posted 1/18/18

North Country Sen. Betty Little, R-Queensbury, and her Senate Republican majority colleagues proposed part of their 2018 legislative agenda that focuses on making the tax burden more affordable for …

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North Country Sen. Little proposes plan targeting income, property, energy taxes, would ban new unfunded mandates

Posted

North Country Sen. Betty Little, R-Queensbury, and her Senate Republican majority colleagues proposed part of their 2018 legislative agenda that focuses on making the tax burden more affordable for individuals, families, and businesses.

The plan includes measures targeting income, property and energy taxes and would ban new unfunded mandates.

“There are many issues I hear from constituents about every day, but the most overarching concern is affordability,” Little said. “The cost of living is a challenge for so many people, affecting quality of life and our economic competitiveness. We can’t afford to lose more families and businesses who move to other states for lower taxes and more job opportunities.”

Little said this year begins the phase-in of a middle class income tax cut that will reduce rates by 20 percent and provide over $4 billion in relief. The Senate Republican majority is developing measures to mitigate recent changes to the federal tax code that will impact New Yorkers.

The State Senate will act on legislation that makes the state’s property tax cap permanent. Since it was enacted, taxpayers have saved an estimated $23 billion as a result of controlled spending growth. The Senate is also proposing a 25 percent increase in the size of the current property tax rebate checks and a freeze of property tax rates for senior citizens.

The plan would lower energy taxes $280 million by eliminating the 2 percent gross receipts tax on utility bills and eliminating the Base 18-a regulatory assessment, both of which financially impact individual and business customers.

To hold the state accountable and prevent unnecessary taxation, the Senate majority will put forward a measure that requires a supermajority vote on state legislation that increase taxes and address the mandates that drive up local taxes, a press release said.

The Senate Majority will propose a constitutional amendment to ban unfunded mandates and further pursue property tax relief through the significant reductions of existing mandates.