As Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver remained relatively mum on Thursday morning about the possibility of a millionaire's tax in the final budget, it appeared to be officially killed when Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, R-Rockville Centre, emphatically denied its future existence.
This "read my lips" approach from Skelos comes in the wake of a proposal (SB 4171) from Republican Sen. John Bonacic, which would institute a genuine millionaire's tax for the next two years and provide property tax relief, and remarks from two Republican Senators, including local Senator Roy McDonald, suggesting that they were open to the millionaire's tax.
By Thursday afternoon, Michael Veitch, McDonald's spokesman, had clarified the Senator's position. He said McDonald is not currently considering the millionaire's tax as part of the budget or considering the proposal from Sen. Bonacic. He added that this stance was not the product of any internal pressure from the conference that he was aware of and argued that McDonald's position has remained constant.
“He is an open-minded legislator, so it is something he would consider after the budget is done,” said Veitch.
This is a far cry from the rigid stance of Sen. Hugh Farley, R-Niskayuna, who objected to the Bonacic plan in its theoretical stages.
The proposal from Bonacic and the possibility that it might have some Republican support, has drawn the attention of the Alliance for Quality Education, which is a loud supporter of the millionaire's tax.
"Senator Bonacic stepped to the plate and did the right thing by joining the State Assembly in support of millionaires and billionaires paying they fair share to help fund schools, I believe that privately many of his Republican colleagues agree with him," said Billy Easton, the executive director of AQE.
It remains unclear how the Assembly and Senate versions of the budget will rectify their stark disagreement about how to proceed on the millionaire's tax.
Showing posts with label Roy Mcdonald. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Roy Mcdonald. Show all posts
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
McDonald Races Ahead
Senator Roy McDonald, R-Saratoga, came out swinging during today's Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee.
"Last year I was too nice," said McDonald, in a committee meeting that was supposed to revolve around the testimony of New York State Racing and Wagering Board Chairman John Sabini.
“It cannot be tolerated again,” said McDonald, in regards to the ambiguity surrounding last year’s meet and changes to the distribution of Video Lottery Terminal money that shifted millions away from the Saratoga Springs area. “It will not be tolerated again.”
Sabini sidestepped McDonald’s host of complaints, as he subtly seemed to characterize the senator’s virulent defense of his constituency as trivial and beside the point.
“The problem with racing is that we fight over the crumbs,” said Sabini. “No one ever tries to make the pie bigger.”
The meeting then touched on the future of Off-Track Betting, the possible expansion of VLTS and how to expand interest in New York horse racing.
When the discussion seemed to stall on generating more revenue from betting, McDonald interjected that they were missing an outlet by not promoting family oriented fun. He argued that the I Love New York program should be utilized to encourage tourism spending in conjunction with racecourse activities.
All in all, though, the senator found the meeting to be very positive. “These meetings are going to be more open than they have been in the last couple years and we’re going to be driving right to the point,” said McDonald, who felt he had been too nice in defending his racing interests last year.
Now, he said, “I’m not going to be pulling any punches.”
"Last year I was too nice," said McDonald, in a committee meeting that was supposed to revolve around the testimony of New York State Racing and Wagering Board Chairman John Sabini.
“It cannot be tolerated again,” said McDonald, in regards to the ambiguity surrounding last year’s meet and changes to the distribution of Video Lottery Terminal money that shifted millions away from the Saratoga Springs area. “It will not be tolerated again.”
Sabini sidestepped McDonald’s host of complaints, as he subtly seemed to characterize the senator’s virulent defense of his constituency as trivial and beside the point.
“The problem with racing is that we fight over the crumbs,” said Sabini. “No one ever tries to make the pie bigger.”
The meeting then touched on the future of Off-Track Betting, the possible expansion of VLTS and how to expand interest in New York horse racing.
When the discussion seemed to stall on generating more revenue from betting, McDonald interjected that they were missing an outlet by not promoting family oriented fun. He argued that the I Love New York program should be utilized to encourage tourism spending in conjunction with racecourse activities.
All in all, though, the senator found the meeting to be very positive. “These meetings are going to be more open than they have been in the last couple years and we’re going to be driving right to the point,” said McDonald, who felt he had been too nice in defending his racing interests last year.
Now, he said, “I’m not going to be pulling any punches.”
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Easy As 1,2, TAX CUT!
On Wednesday the NYS Senate, now back under control of the Republicans, successfully passed the JOB CREATION & TAXPAYER PROTECTION ACT of 2011. This three prong approach to reviving the state's economy and alleviating the burden on taxpayers hit all of the GOP's talking points.
The first part was Sen. Jim Alesi's extensive list of tax cuts (SB 1891), which included a credit that will equal the amount of withholding generated from each new employee that is hired by a business, eliminated the personal income tax surcharge one year early for small businesses and offered a manufacturing tax cut.
The effect of the bill will be at least a shortfall of $400 million, according to the bill's memo.
The second part was from Sen. Mike Ranzenhofer (SB 1892), which would amend the constitution so that it would include a spending cap.
The final bill (SB 1919) was from freshman Sen. Zeldin, who doesn't get a first name until I can remember it, which would make it necessary for a 2/3 majority for any future tax increases.
Local Sen. Roy McDonald, R-Saratoga, voted in favor of all the provisions, but acknowledged that they might not all work. “It’s time to push for new measures, some may work and others may not, but it’s necessary that we start this extremely important dialogue," said McDonald.
The conversation must now continue in the Assembly where none of these bills have a chance of passing. Oh divided gov't, you are a fickle b@*$#.
The first part was Sen. Jim Alesi's extensive list of tax cuts (SB 1891), which included a credit that will equal the amount of withholding generated from each new employee that is hired by a business, eliminated the personal income tax surcharge one year early for small businesses and offered a manufacturing tax cut.
The effect of the bill will be at least a shortfall of $400 million, according to the bill's memo.
The second part was from Sen. Mike Ranzenhofer (SB 1892), which would amend the constitution so that it would include a spending cap.
The final bill (SB 1919) was from freshman Sen. Zeldin, who doesn't get a first name until I can remember it, which would make it necessary for a 2/3 majority for any future tax increases.
Local Sen. Roy McDonald, R-Saratoga, voted in favor of all the provisions, but acknowledged that they might not all work. “It’s time to push for new measures, some may work and others may not, but it’s necessary that we start this extremely important dialogue," said McDonald.
The conversation must now continue in the Assembly where none of these bills have a chance of passing. Oh divided gov't, you are a fickle b@*$#.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
NYS Senate Chairs Crowned
Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, R-Rockville Centre, has announced the chairs for the standing committees in the Senate.
As reported earlier on 22 Miles From The Capitol, Sen. Farley has not taken over Senate Banks, but Senator Joe Griffo will be at the helm with Farley as his Vice-Chair. Farley, who will have some sort of central leadership position, is not the chair of any committee, including Aging, where he used to have some sway.
In local interest, the Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee went to Sen. John Bonacic, even though Sen. Roy McDonald, R-Saratoga, requested it. He acknowledged last Wednesday that it would probably go to Bonacic, who has seniority in the conference. McDonald did not acknowledge that he might also be passed over because he has an independent streak that the leadership might not be keen on.McDonald did receive the chairmanship of the Mental Health committee, which is presumably where he will be able to shepherd through autism legislation.
Bonacic is also one of three Senators pulling down double duty, as he will also be Chair of the Judiciary committee.
The Republican staffing seems to have dealt a blow to the future of nonpartisan redistricting, as the makeup of the Senate Investigations and Government Operations committee is not too friendly to Valesky's bill (SB 660) on the issue.
Already in a past session, two of the current GOP members voted without recommendation on the proposal. This isn't a full out rebuke of the measure, but its not exactly a warm welcome. In the bill's favor, though, is the fact that Big Cheese Tom Libous has supported the bill in the past.
Full list of committee chairs and Republican members:
majoritycommitteeassignments[1]
As reported earlier on 22 Miles From The Capitol, Sen. Farley has not taken over Senate Banks, but Senator Joe Griffo will be at the helm with Farley as his Vice-Chair. Farley, who will have some sort of central leadership position, is not the chair of any committee, including Aging, where he used to have some sway.
In local interest, the Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee went to Sen. John Bonacic, even though Sen. Roy McDonald, R-Saratoga, requested it. He acknowledged last Wednesday that it would probably go to Bonacic, who has seniority in the conference. McDonald did not acknowledge that he might also be passed over because he has an independent streak that the leadership might not be keen on.McDonald did receive the chairmanship of the Mental Health committee, which is presumably where he will be able to shepherd through autism legislation.
Bonacic is also one of three Senators pulling down double duty, as he will also be Chair of the Judiciary committee.
The Republican staffing seems to have dealt a blow to the future of nonpartisan redistricting, as the makeup of the Senate Investigations and Government Operations committee is not too friendly to Valesky's bill (SB 660) on the issue.
Already in a past session, two of the current GOP members voted without recommendation on the proposal. This isn't a full out rebuke of the measure, but its not exactly a warm welcome. In the bill's favor, though, is the fact that Big Cheese Tom Libous has supported the bill in the past.
Full list of committee chairs and Republican members:
majoritycommitteeassignments[1]
Friday, January 7, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Future of the Property Tax Cap
Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan, surprised a packed Convention Center on Wednesday afternoon when he signaled his willingness to embrace a property tax cap.
The cap, which has been passed by the senate at 4%, has never really been considered in the Assembly. During the 2010 election season the cap gained a lot of traction, but it didn't appear to have gained the support of Speaker Silver, who would basically decide what moved through his chamber. Now it looks like Silver, and by extension the Assembly, is ready to act.
But hold your horses say Republican lawmakers. "The devil is in the details," says Republican Senator Roy McDonald. He warns that Silver may not be prepared to do what is necessary to alleviate the tax burden of New Yorkers, which McDonald says is a 2% tax cap.
McDOnald, who wanted to give Silver the benefit of the doubt, said that Silver might embrace the 4% cap, which would fall short. Ultimately, though, he predicted the 2% cap would pass the Assembly, because that is what voters want.
Assemblyman George Amedore, R-Rotterdam, suggested this issue could be a bargaining position for the Speaker. He said Silver might trade in this chip for something else down the road.
Assemblyman Jim Tedisco took the cautiously optimistic approach saying, "I like what the speaker had to say, but I take it with a grain of salt, because actions speak louder than words.”
The cap, which has been passed by the senate at 4%, has never really been considered in the Assembly. During the 2010 election season the cap gained a lot of traction, but it didn't appear to have gained the support of Speaker Silver, who would basically decide what moved through his chamber. Now it looks like Silver, and by extension the Assembly, is ready to act.
But hold your horses say Republican lawmakers. "The devil is in the details," says Republican Senator Roy McDonald. He warns that Silver may not be prepared to do what is necessary to alleviate the tax burden of New Yorkers, which McDonald says is a 2% tax cap.
McDOnald, who wanted to give Silver the benefit of the doubt, said that Silver might embrace the 4% cap, which would fall short. Ultimately, though, he predicted the 2% cap would pass the Assembly, because that is what voters want.
Assemblyman George Amedore, R-Rotterdam, suggested this issue could be a bargaining position for the Speaker. He said Silver might trade in this chip for something else down the road.
Assemblyman Jim Tedisco took the cautiously optimistic approach saying, "I like what the speaker had to say, but I take it with a grain of salt, because actions speak louder than words.”
Monday, January 3, 2011
'Toga County Board Chairman Selected
Today, Town of Saratoga Supervisor Tom Wood was chosen to be Chairman of the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors.
Wood, who was elected in 2003, replaces Bill Peck of Northumberland. On Thursday, Peck applauded Wood as an excellent choice to lead the county.
Today's news was endorsed by NYS Roy McDonald, R-Saratoga.
“Tom Wood is a great friend and an even better elected official working diligently for the people of the Town of Saratoga and Saratoga County. I want to congratulate him on this wonderful honor and look forward to working with him closely on many important Saratoga County issues," said McDonald.
Wood, who was elected in 2003, replaces Bill Peck of Northumberland. On Thursday, Peck applauded Wood as an excellent choice to lead the county.
Today's news was endorsed by NYS Roy McDonald, R-Saratoga.
“Tom Wood is a great friend and an even better elected official working diligently for the people of the Town of Saratoga and Saratoga County. I want to congratulate him on this wonderful honor and look forward to working with him closely on many important Saratoga County issues," said McDonald.
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