 |
| Search |
|
|
|
|
Government Waste
When questioned on his thoughts on the sharing of the sales tax with the cities and other municipalities, County Legislator Dr. Barry Weinstein echoed what many of us believe to be true; the sharing is nothing more than “pork”.
The sharing dictate was looked as payback to County Executive Joel Giambra for his blame-game declaration that state mandated programs were the cause of the county’s fiscal woes. That may be true to some extent, but the sales tax sharing is nothing more than redistributing taxpayer money to cover their political asses and to allow state and local governments to spend more while going deeper in debt.
Only in the political class
Giambra declares that if the sales tax revenue is shared, he will have to make up the difference by raising property taxes. The money that the municipalities receive will not offset the increase in property tax.
Erie County Legislator Kathy Konst spoke before the Lancaster Town Board and said not to worry; State Assemblyman Paul Tokasz and State Senator Dale Volker promised state aid would offset the shortfall and negate the need for a property tax increase.
Thank goodness for the state aid, grants and all the other pork, right? Sorry guys, it’s still our money.
A few good men
Much press has recently been given re government secrecy and the public’s right to know – the Sunshine Law and the use of FOIA. We are fortunate to have Dr. Weinstein, Congressman Brian Higgins and Amherst Supervisor Satish Mohan opening the doors of government operations, thereby affording the public an insight as to how and where their taxes are being spent.
An individual labeled Dr. Weinstein a political “whore” for saying he has no vision at the moment re holding future political office. Dr. Weinstein countered in saying his focus is now on finishing his term as a county legislator. He will not seek re-election but will consider other political postings. Considering he acts as an independent that ran in a primary on the Republican ticket in 1998 and is not beholding to the Party, or favored by it, he will be free to seek whatever office he chooses.
The political whores are those that want to continue the status quo by silencing those challenging the system and/or by keeping information from the public. Tax and spending freely are established practices utilized too frequently by federal, state and local governments and school districts.
Considering the largest employers in Western New York are governments and other public-union positions like teachers and hospital workers, is it any wonder that the status quo continues. Getting a reform candidate to successfully buck a system where support is not coming from any major party, where union organization and funding is available for the opponent, and where the eligible voting public is apathetic because they perceive all major parties as being evil, is near impossible
Unlike the private sector where companies struggling to stay competitive and profitable are taking steps to alter pension programs, make workers pay more for health care and make salary concessions, the public sector believes it’s a big deal when they go to a single health care provider.
Even more onerous is the ability of public safety unions to gain binding arbitration.
But the political class makes it sound like everything is coming up roses. The state has a $2.4 billion surplus. Each homeowner will get back $400 from the school Star program. Other monies will be distributed for tax relief and not a penny will go toward paying down the $50 billion deficit.
New York State Comptroller Alan Hevesi reports that New York's 2006-07 budget increases spending, prolongs the rapid growth in debt, and maintains the use of non-recurring revenues or one-shots to pay for continuing expenses. The tax cuts and continuing debt load will have a significant adverse impact on near future budgets.
The county has a few bucks to spare as well. They have plans to spend it as well.
© Copyright 2008 by Speakupwny.com
Top of Page
|
|
|
Government Waste
Latest Headlines
|
|
Web hosting By
www.olm1.com
Part of
www.onlinebuffalo.com
[where: 14206]
|