A coalition of progressive groups announced Wednesday afternoon that it would launch grassroots efforts to knock out what it described as giveaways to the wealthy in Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s executive budget proposal.
“Right now, we cannot afford to spend a $2 billion surplus on tax cuts for the wealthiest New Yorkers,” said Ron Deutsch of New Yorkers for Fiscal Fairness.
He singled out proposed changes to the estate tax and reduced business taxes as “a misguided effort” in a state with what advocates says is the nation’s most profound income inequality.
That dubious superlative “is killing our economy,” said Michael Kink of the Strong Economy for All Coalition.
“Our state can’t afford a billion dollars a year in new tax cuts for millionaires, billionaires and Wall Street,” he added, indicating that the groups backing the effort “have proven over the last several years that people power can beat money power when it comes to big tax and budget issues.”
The coalition includes the Working Families Party, labor unions including New York State United Teachers, the state AFL-CIO and the Communications Workers of America, plus advocacy groups such as MoveOn, the Hunger Action Network and Community Voices Heard.
Legalized gambling proceeds to pay for education programs while tax cuts go out to millionaires and billionaires.
More mandates on school districts when so many are already underfunded and on the brink of fiscal disaster.
It's an election year and Governor Cuomo does not want a fight over the budget.
But if ever there is a year to have that fight with the governor, it's this year.
Not just over the budget, of course.
There's so much more to fight him over - like Common Core, APPR, inBloom, etc.
But the budget too.
