The New York State budget deficit is now a familiar refrain to the taxpaying public and the following list focuses on the shortfall of tax revenues in the western part of the state. Genesee specifically stands out as the county with the greatest fall in tax revenues. Remember the source of the greatest losses came from the large financial institutions that created the problems leading to decreased revenues everywhere in the world. Most of those institutions are centered in New York City and they comprise the greatest part of the deficit. Below is the carnage of Western New York.
Erie — $634.6 million, down 3.2 percent
Niagara — $96.6 million, down 1.6 percent
Allegany — $17.2 million, down 2.2 percent
Cattaraugus — $32.5 million, down 1.2 percent
Chautauqua — $52.2 million, up 1.2 percent
Genesee — $32.1 million, down 6.5 percent
Orleans — $13.4 million, down 4.1 percent
Wyoming — $14.2 million, down 4.8 percent
Monroe County ___$385.7 million, down 6.2 percent
It is not too far a stretch to realize that the state Tax Department had some bells going off when these figures were made available. (They have been excerpted from reports in the Buffalo Evening Express and the New York Times).
In fact, as was discussed in an earlier article, the Tax Department has zeroed in on small business as a source of increasing revenues utilizing some very dubious methods.
They are the small businesses that are, in fact, the dynamo of capitalism in America. These small businesses account for half the GDP (gross domestic product) and more than half of all the employment in this great nation and subsequently in the state of New York. Of these small businesses, those with less than 10 employees, approximately 75%, are the top PROVIDERS OF JOBS in this country. However some of the more daunting problems are completely out of their personal control such as:
ever increasing insurance costs ( liability ,disability, health), rising energy costs and taxes, taxes, taxes. National Business Review published a survey last month of the top problems and concerns facing small businesses. Out of the top 10 problems rated as most severe, half of them had to do with taxes and/or regulatory burdens, including:
Federal Taxes on Business Income
Property Taxes (Real, Inventory, or Personal Property)
Tax Complexity
Unreasonable Government Regulations
State Taxes and Sales Taxes on Business Income
Small businesses PROVIDE JOBS. The small business and their employees PAY TAXES. They drive the economy! To cripple them with allegations of unpaid taxes and threats of discontinuing their operations has the tone of a lynching . The result of these attacks will result in LOSS OF JOBS AND INCREASING TAXES . Doesn’t that seem counter-productive to you? What is the Tax Department thinking and where is the logic for their actions?
We stand on the highest steeples and shout our disapproval of our governing leaders but all to no avail. We continue to re-elect them and whine about their ineptitude. So what can be done in a time like this? Should we not call on the local state representatives to make an attempt to stand up for a constituent. Is that too much to ask of those who have been elected to positions of supposed responsibility?
More importantly, remember the legislator who helped when the next election rolls around.
