Sorry, but a platform of "I'll keep your taxes low" is, to my mind, pretty much the bribery of voters. It's hollow and simplistic - and it's not acceptable as the foundation of a platform. Here's why.
Let me start by saying that I don't like to pay taxes either - and I pay a lot of taxes!New Yorkers are Overtaxed
Plain and simple: We New Yorkers are overtaxed. Analysis after analysis puts us at (or near) the top of all 50 states when it comes to how much we pay in taxes (see the Tax Foundation's list here, for example). State income tax, property tax, sales tax - etc. We got it all - and the rates are generally high.
As someone with a family and lots of bills to pay, you bet that I am fully uninterested in any tax increases - and will gladly support reasoned tax breaks that benefit the people.
New York State is Not Exactly Efficient
It would be great if we could say that New York State's services were so amazing that the high taxes are fully warranted. But when it comes to services, as a state employee, I have to say that the story is mixed. K-12 education is famously of high quality in most pockets of New York - but there are deficits. The SUNY system, for instance, receives much less than 40% of its funding from state tax dollars - in spite of the fact that our universities are "state" universities. And if you look around at state universities in adjacent states (talking UCONN, Rutgers, etc.), you quickly start asking why the SUNYs are, in so many ways, behind our peers. If we've got the most taxed citizens anywhere in the US, we should have the best services to show for it. And that's not always the case.
So we need to make government spending more efficient at all levels. And if I am given the privilege of representing the people of Plattekill in Kingston on the Ulster County Legislature, you can bet that I will work tirelessly toward this goal.
Productive Government for the People Goes Well Beyond Issues of Taxation
This all said, taking a stance against tax increases is, in and of itself, a hollow platform - and one that panders to people's pockets. Good government must go well beyond simply keeping taxes low. When I hear a politician say that he or she is going to keep taxes low, my next question is this:
OK - but what are you going to actually do? What do you stand for? What changes/improvements/advances in the conditions of our district are you working to make?
Keeping taxes in check is one facet of good government - one of many. If you live in an economically distressed district such as the Town of Plattekill*, then I'm not only interested in how you are going to keep my taxes down. If our town is economically distressed, we need to know why. And we need to be proactive - seeking out opportunities, such as county or state-level grants that provide various kinds of stimulus opportunities. We need to look into expanding the Plattekill business base - beyond the two Dollar Generals that so conspicuously sit on our central corridor of Rt. 32. Our young people need support - they need jobs, education, and career training.
If I am given the honor of finding myself in the Ulster County Legislature in 2018, you can rest assured that these issues will be at the forefront of my work - and, as is true in all areas of my life, I will work tirelessly - tooth and claw - to make sure that positive advances on this front are achieved.
Bottom Line
Who does like taxes? Not me. And as a long-standing employee of the State of New York, I find myself disappointed when I see our high taxes leading to mediocre services. We deserve better.
This said, I firmly believe that an elected official who represents the people cannot stand fully on a platform of keeping taxes low. Sure, we need to do our best to keep taxes low - but we also need to run this place! We also need to take proactive steps to make sure that our citizens are safe and healthy. We need to make sure that educational opportunities exist for everyone who is interested in advancing his or her lot. We need to make sure that employment opportunities exist - and that the basic rights of healthcare, education, and a good home are met for everyone. We need to make sure that the American Dream is alive and well.
Next time a politician tries to bribe you by promising to vote against tax increases, I suggest that you then ask this: OK, but what ARE YOU GOING TO ACTUALLY DO?
If you live in Plattekill District 12 and you want positive change that you can believe in, I strongly suggest that you give my candidacy for Ulster County Legislature your fullest consideration.
Let's revitalize Plattekill - together.
#YesWeCan #YesWeWill #SiSePuede
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* Based on a 2015 report from the Hudson Valley Regional Council
