In his State of the State address on Wednesday, Gov. Paterson called for "shared sacrifice" to get New York through one of the worst recessions we've seen in decades.
But the budget proposal the Governor presented would mean anything but.
There are dozens of regressive taxes - on entertainment, on sugar, on car registrations, on health insurance, on clothes, on going to the theatre a ball game or movies, and even a tax on downloading music. In total, billions of dollars in tax hikes on working families.
At the same time, there are substantial cuts in public services working people rely on - arts organizations, schools, clinics, libraries, after-school programs, disabled services, and more.
The Governor is asking everyone to sacrifice -- everyone except wealthy New Yorkers who can most afford to do so. Let's get real.
The wealthy have had their tax rates cut in half in the last twenty years, ending progressive taxation in New York. Donald Trump pays the same percentage as the doorman he employs. Roll back the tax cuts a little and the budget cuts do not have to be made.
Send a strong message to the Governor Paterson "Don't copy Herbert Hoover" by cutting spending and taxes in a recession. Raise taxes a little on those who can afford most and stimulate the economy. Click on the graphic above to send a message via the budget campaign page at the Local 802 AFM affiliate organization The Working Families Party.