Assemblywoman Nolan (Photo: NYSassembly.gov)
March 7, 2011 By Christian Murray
Cathy Nolan, Sunnyside’s state assembly representative, said she is fighting to keep the so-called “millionaires’ tax” in place in order to preserve the quality of the public education system.
“There are alternatives to budget cuts,” Nolan, who chairs the chamber’s Education Committee, wrote in a letter to Speaker Sheldon Silver. The letter addresses Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposed budget cuts of $1.5 billion from school aid.
“School district and local government consolidations can eliminate waste and save costs. New York can close corporate tax loopholes. The most helpful alternative to devastating cuts to education and other vital services is the current surcharge on high-income personal income taxes. The surcharge is now in effect through December 31, 2011. Eliminating the surcharge will reduce state revenues this year by $1 billion.”
“We must preserve public education for our children and our future. The Court of Appeals decision in CFE requires the state to provide adequate resources to assure that every public school student has the opportunity for a meaningful education that prepares the student for college, work and citizenship. We urge the Assembly to support alternatives to budget cuts and make our children and their education a priority.”
Silver has said he will heed this cry, and include a renewal of the income tax in the one-house budget the Assembly will pass later this month. Nolan’s letter was signed by 68 legislators. The letter is below.
Nolan_Tax_Letter by on Scribd
