How New York Fought the Budget Defecit and Won (tags)
While nearly every state is facing severe budget deficits, New York State showed how to balance the budget without completely destroying the social safety net. New York took a few progressive steps forward in balancing the budget and painted a more sensible picture of “shared sacrifice” than what the average politician has proposed. Instead of sacrificing social programs and increasing taxes that affect primarily workers, two new tax brackets were created for New York’s wealthier citizens, generating 4 billion dollars in state revenue. Prior to the new budget, New York’s highest tax rate was 6.85 percent, for anyone making $20,000 or more. The additional tax brackets are 7.85% and 8.97% for those whose income is more than $300,000 and $500,000. These new rates are temporary and set to expire in 3 years. According to the Times-Union, "In broad strokes, the agreement closes the state's estimated $16.2 billion budget deficit through $6 billion in federal stimulus dollars, $6 billion in cuts to an array of programs, and $4 billion in new revenue through an increase in the personal income tax on affluent New Yorkers." The grassroots movement that pushed this “wealthy tax” forward not only asked that new tax brackets remain permanent but also asked for a third tax bracket on New Yorkers earning $1 million or more annually, which would have raised an additional billion dollars.
Brightness in the Street, Dimness in the Garden (tags)
The intelligence and common sense of New Yorkers, and especially of the people who took to the street Sunday outside the RNC venue, stands in sharp contrast to the stupidity and willful ignorance on display inside the Garden, and at large across the country. The intelligence and common sense of New Yorkers, and especially of the people who took to the street Sunday outside the RNC venue, stands in sharp contrast to the stupidity and willful ignorance on display inside the Garden, and at large across the country.
I dialed 911 a long time ago (tags)
Police Loyalties