By Bill Parry
New York’s Democratic leadership is appalled at the sweeping tax overhaul passed by House Republicans last week. The controversial measure to enact $1.5 trillion in cuts was approved 227-205 despite no votes from the five New York Republicans in the House.
“President Trump and his cronies may think they can pull the wool over our eyes, but New Yorkers won’t fall for his tax scam,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said. “That’s why Representative (Dan) Donovan and many other representatives from around the state side with our party. The plan fills the pockets of the already wealthy, threatens our seniors and steals from working families. New Yorkers won’t stand for that. The fight is far from over. All it will take is a lot of organizing to stop this scam, but it’s important to remember the repeal of the Affordable Care Act was a foregone conclusion when President Trump was elected. Just this week, a record number of Americans signed up to get affordable health care.”
The House Republican’s overhaul of the tax code would add a deduction for owners of private aircraft while subtracting one for teachers who buy school supplies for their students.
“There is no for Republicans to spin this: (the) vote was a lavish gift to well-connected GOP donors. The simple truth is this scam of a bill will raise taxes on middle-class families and working Americans who are seeking financial stability in an uncertain economy,” U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-Jackson Heights), the House Democratic Caucus chairman, said. “This bill will force homeowners and renters to pay more just to stay in their homes and it will make it harder for veterans to find meaningful work when they return to civilian life. I cannot understand how Republicans can justify hurting hardworking men and women in Queens, the Bronx, and across the country just so their special interest friends can cash-in on an unneeded tax break.”
The House bill would wipe out SALT deductions completely, the deductions for state income and sales taxes. It caps deductions for property taxes at $10,000.
“The House Republican tax bill is a targeted assault on New Yorkers that will deliver a catastrophic blow to our economy,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. “Any member from New York that votes for this bill is voting to take billions of dollars from middle-class New Yorkers and send that money to corporations, billionaires, and other states.”
The Senate Finance Committee approves the upper chamber’s own version of the GOP tax bill and if it is approved in the coming days, it would have to be reconciled with the House version.
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparr
