Taxation Up The A**

It's getting harder and harder to live in New York State... The level of taxation here is tremendous. The burden is placed on all of us. That, in addition to the higher prices overall, higher rents, and huge cost of living, this place is certainly not a place to consider long-term.

That said, Gov. David Patterson discussed his plans for the budget for FY 2010. Included in his proposals are CUTS (that's a good thing...) in hospital and school subsidies and the elimination of more than $1 billion in aid that City Hall hoped would help it weather the worst economic downturn in at least a generation. However, spending would still increase by 1% overall.

Here is the list of taxes...
* An "iTunes tax" of 4 percent on videos, music or pictures downloaded from the Internet.

* A 4 percent tax on taxi, limo and bus rides. That means a $10 cab ride would cost 40 cents more.

* A 4 percent entertainment tax on tickets to movies, concerts and sporting events. That would add nearly 50 cents to a $12 movie ticket or $1.80 to the cheapest $44.50 seat at a Knicks game.
* The tax on beer increases 24 cents per gallon, or more than double the current rate, which means about 30 cents a case.

* An 18 percent tax on nondiet soft drinks, which aims to reduce child obesity. A $1.50 can of Pepsi would then cost at least 25 cents more.

* A 4 percent tax on cable TV and satellite services, raising a $100 bill by $4.

* Hiking the cost of "personal" services - including haircuts, manicures, pedicures, massages and gym memberships - by 4 percent.

* A 4 percent sales tax on clothing and shoes under $500, except for two weeks out of the year.

* Elimination of the law that caps the state sales tax on gasoline at 8 cents per gallon.

* Boosting the average vehicle registration fee for drivers by $11, from $44 to $55. Fees for new or renewed licenses also would increase 25 percent, or increase from $50 to about $62 to renew a license over eight years.

In addition, all drivers would have to get new, "reflectorized" license plates at a fee of $25 each.

The plan also calls for the state to allow wine to be sold in grocery stores.

It would introduce video slot machines at Belmont Park.

New York could also join other states in their lottery games.

INSANITY... I'm sure the final budget will NOT include many of these but it's the ultimate in Nanny-Stateism... There is less and less of a reason to live here..