Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) recently weighed in on the report filed by the New York State Tax Relief Commission, finding both bright spots and holes in the suggestions. Hawley noted that several of the recommended actions would deliver real savings for taxpayers, but certain measures must be expanded or added.

“Many of the commission’s suggestions would be extremely beneficial for New York’s families and job creators, with reductions in business and estate taxes delivering the kind of savings New Yorkers desperately need,” said Hawley. “Yet, the report could be improved in key areas, like instituting a full, immediate repeal of the utility tax surcharge, as legislation I sponsor would accomplish. If we are truly serious about tax relief, we need to address unfunded mandates like the state’s unconscionable Medicaid burden, which drive up our taxes year after year. I would be ecstatic to act on many of the proposals in this report, but it is only a starting point for a long-overdue discussion on making New York more affordable for our families and businesses.”