WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER SETS RECORD VISITS FOR YEAR 7,017,658 VISITS! 2,098,003 VISITORS MADE 6 VISITS A DAY EVERY DAY. 63,330 UNIQUE VISITORS MADE 133,730 VISITS IN DECEMBER. WPCNR AVERAGED 17,284 VISITORS A WEEK, VISITING 31,270 TIMES.

Hits: 0

WPCNR QUILL & EYESHADE. News & Comment by John F. Bailey. December 12,2011 UPDATED December 16, 2011:

 

Bah, humbug!

 

Have any of the financial wizards in the business press, and those economist pundits got their calculators out and analyzed Albany new  tax rates and noted the “Bonus Money” the New York legislature and Governor have just sent to those struggling “Middle Class Taxpayers” making from  $300,000 to $2 million a year?

 

Has anyone dared to point that the legislature and the state’s leaders have a hell of a nerve to say this is a “middle class” tax cut?

 

No.

 

All we hear is praise for the Governor and the legislature for making New York more attractive to business, giving tax relief to the struggling middle class taxpayer.

 

Struggling middle class? Surely the Albany Santa must be kidding.

 

You do not need an accountant to smell this pre-election year ploy.

 

How can you cut revenue when your revenues are down?

Across America the Governor and his partners-in-spin would have you believe that persons making over  $300,000  to $2 million adjusted gross income are “middle class,” deserving of tax reductions of up to $40,000 (at the $1,999,999 level) on their state income taxes.

 

Do they take us for fools?

 

Yes, obviously.

 

They have disrespected us just so they can claim next election day that they lowered our taxes. But, watch your property taxes folks!

 

Watch those property taxes  soar when towns and counties and school districts have to cope with drastic state cuts in aid for schools communities and counties in the 2012-13 budget.

 

Let’s talk middle class for a moment. What it is and is not.

 

People who were making  $100,000  in the 1990s—a mere 10 years ago were living well,and if they had two incomes of $100,000 each , they lived even better. If they kept their debt under control, or even ran it up they lived well. If they used their heads and paid off a mortgage and saved, they could even have saved for childrens’ education, and still had plenty of discretionary income. They were in no way middle class—they were upper middle class.

 

Let’s compare the real middle class and the lower classes and see how much Albany’s stocking stuffers in tax cuts passed last week does for those who are strugglin’..

 

You would think that larger proportionate tax dollars would be given back to the lower income folks, wouldn’t you?  There are more of the lower class, after all.

 

Well that is not the case with Mr. Albany’s taxcuts.

 

Far from it.

 

If you’re a politician, you have to take care of the richies first.  

 

The tax cut for the “struggling middle classes”  making $150,000 to $1,999,000 in adjusted gross income is a range of 1/5^th of 1 %  to 1% cent in the state tax rate.

 

1/5th of 1 per cent to 1%.

 

That is a mighty axe because the new rate applies to a much wider income universe.

 

As WPCNR takes you through the tax structure, I have not adjusted the rates based on last year’s breakpoints of the graduated state tax rates for those earning $300,000  or  more of this year that are now history.

 

The tax savings are estimates, but even as estimates they demonstrate the richer are getting the big slice of pie in these tax cuts, while the $50,000 earner is getting peanuts.

 

Reagonomics again?

 

In sharp contrast, the legislature threw what amounts to a month of gasoline money, a third of a month’s rent or mortgage, or two weeks of groceries   to the lower classes with adjusted gross income of $40,000 to $150,000.

 

Albany in its never-to-be-forgotten “never-never land” thinking  cut the tax rate for the working class a mere point-four of a per cent from 6.85% to 6.45%.

 

Point-four of a per cent from 6.85% to 6.45%

 

The $100,000 a year adjusted gross income earner under the new tax rate of 6.45% enacted last week pays $6,450 in state income tax for 2011-12, that’s $400 lower than they pay under the old rate of 6.85% ($6,850). That’s the equivalent of gas for two cars for four weeks. Maybe a third of your mortgage for one month. A week of groceries.

 

The lower class should be sending telegrams of thank you’s to Albany don’t you think?

 

They must be so happy for a little crust from the state’s income pie.

 

The person making $50,000, starting salaries for some starting union jobs—receives $200 in tax savings from what they would have paid ($3,425 compared to their new state tax of $3,225).  

 

That will not even pay your commutation ticket to Manhattan on the MTA.

 

The person or couple making $150,000 adjusted gross income will be receiving a windfall from their benefactors in Albany of  $600 ($9,675 in state taxes due, instead of $10,275 ) That’s a Broadway show and dinner, and two weeks of gasoline for the two-SUV family.

 

Once you get past $150,000, your new state tax rate goes up slightly to 6.65% (still lower than the 6.85% you would have paid previously.

 

But in Albany’s way of looking at things, if the “struggling middle class” making beyond $350,000 does not get more relief, the state will be in worse shape. Really?

 

At a $400,000 gross adjusted income, paying the new state tax rate of 6.85% you will pay approximately $27,400 in state taxes this year instead of $31,400 under the old rate of 7.85%. Things are looking up! You pay $4,000 less taxes! Man, that’s a fast getaway weekend (in the Adirondacks or the Hamps). 

 

Mmmmm, it is good to be the struggling middle class.

 

In Albany’s view, the more you make the more taxes you should get back. It gets better.

 

If you have $600,000 in adjusted gross income, you get $6,000 in state tax saving

 

At $1,000,000 in adjusted gross income,  it looks like a very nice chunk of change:$23,320 in tax savings. Just enough to buy Muffie or Malcom a car on graduation from private school.

 

Ahh, you can just feel that New York economy starting to hum already can’t you. Happy days are here again.

 

Would you like to know what the couple making $1,999,999 in adjusted gross income will save under this very livable 6.85% tax rate:  around $40,000 less taxes.

 

A total of  $137,000 in state taxes as compared with $179,000 under the old millionaire’s tax.

 

Now what is wrong with that number?

 

A fair legislator  might think that you would like to give earners at say the $40,000 to $50,000 level a  real make-a-difference cut.

 

 A  4.65% tax rate that would save them $900 in taxes. Maybe, shudder, a 3.65% tax rate that would cut their taxes $1,800. That is a take-home pay game-changer for the Lower Classes—an extra $150 a month in spending money or money they could like save, spend on food, entertainment, rent.

 

This could have been been achieved by still giving a substantially less tax cut to the $150,000 and up earners.

 

 How about a tax cut of 7.25% for the swells – more than a half percent less than the 7.85%-9% they would have paid under the old rate.

 

That 7.25% cut would give the $350,000 earner a $2,100 tax cut – instead of a $3,500 tax cut. Would those long-suffering “middle classers” miss the $1,400?

 

Take  $700,000 adjusted gross income earner or couple: A 7.25% tax rate would still cut their state taxes $2,800 instead  of  approximately $7,000 more under the new 6.85% rate .( The 700,000 earner pays $47,950 in taxes at 7.25% instead of $50,750)

 

The million dollar earner would pay $4,000 more taxes ($72,500 at 7.25%, as opposed to $68,500 at 6.85%, the actual new rate).

 

The $1.999 Million Dollar adjusted gross incomer—(I know the living is tough)—well a 7.25% tax rate instead of the now-law, 6.85% — delivers  an $29,000 tax cut instead of a $42,000 tax cut ( $13,000 differential).

 

Are you following what has happened here?

 

The strategy of the tax cut is to reward those who least deserve it.

 

The “struggling upper class” who just aren’t keeping enough of their millions and are threatening to leave the state, according to the Albanyists.

 

The only persons really benefiting from this tax are the people who really need tax relief the least.

 

Ostensibly the tax cuts on the rich will stimulate spending and help balance the state budget that is still $2 Billion short,(according to Assemblyman Robert Castelli)  this year. There’s the cut in the MTA tax, too, which no one in Albany has said specifically where that’s going to be replaced. (Mr. Castelli, the 89th District Assemblyman says this will be achieved from savings to come.)

 

The argument was to not let all the income from the millionaire’s income tax disappear when it expired December 31.

 

However, WPCNR would argue that Albany has given back too much to those who have too much and given back not enough to those who have to struggle to keep what they have.

 

I hope you struggling middle classes up there will spend your thousands wisely.

 

What about those making over $2 Million well they get only a very modest tax cut,8.97% rate previously is cut to 8.82%.

 

That means if you make an adjusted gross income of $10 Million you will pay $15,000 less taxes this year than last, $897,000 to $882,000.

 

Buddy can you spare a grand?

Hits: 0

WPCNR PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE DAY By the WPCNR ROVING PHOTOGRAPHER. December 10 UPDATED DECEMBER 10 11:10 P.M. :

When White Plains Week Commentators commentate, “Power,” such as it is, listens!

On Friday evening, White Plains Week, the city news roundup show internetcast worldwide from downtown, your town, White Plains around the world, commentated that Westchester County finished repaving, and reguttering North Street a main north-south gateway to White Plains, before Thanksgiving.

 

NORTH STREET FRIDAY MORNING AT BRYANT AVENUE. LOOK FOLKS, NO LANES…AND IT HAS HAD NO LANES  FOR 3 WEEKS

Commentators John Bailey, Peter Katz and Jim Benorofe noted dryly that after three weeks since repaving had been comoleted,  Westchester County had not painted traffic lane markings creating a dangerous situation for motorists unfamiliar with traffic patterns on North Street.

Friday evening the county laned the road in one night.

WPCNR is happy to report that with scant hours of the WPW telecast Friday evening, Westchester County crews relined North Street from I-287 to the Hutchinson River Parkway (in one night). Thanks, Westchester County for watching and taking care of business (finally). Cross walks still have to be painted, but at least cars no where their lanes are.

BUT WAIT! THEY ONLY DID HALF THE ROAD!

WPCNR READER WRITER WRITES Sunday AT 5 P.M.:

I am pleased to know that SOME line painting was completed.  But not so from Ridgeway to the Hutch. 5pm 12/10/11
I just drove up North Street from the Hutch to Ridgeway..  No lines are painted.  Everyday I commute by car  along N. Street and Ridgeway .  The Left turn onto Ridgeway is causing confusion and short stops by motorists.

Thank you, Mr. Astorino!

BUT COULD WE FINISH THE JOB??? PLEASE!

North Street Southbound Saturday morning, coming up to former St. Agnes Hospital.Love that Turn Lane!

North Streeet Northbound just past Bryant Avenue Saturday morning. How about dem Lanes! The Lanes are Open!

 

Hits: 0

WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. Special to WPCNR by Westchester County Roving Correspondent Nancy King. December 9, 2011:

Nancy King

After tense negotiations that lasted for 15 hours, the Westchester County Board of Legislators and County Executive Rob Astorino and his team arrived at a budget compromise that saved 187 jobs, restored cuts to community health care centers and left nature centers and their programs intact. 

The vote taken shortly before 2am was 16 for the budget and legislator Marty Rogowsky voting against it.  Rogowsky, who will be leaving the board at the end of the month voted against the budget last year as well.  

The board approved a $548.4 million dollar tax levy which will mean the taxpayers of Westchester will not see an increase in their property tax bill for the second year in a row. 

In a News Release from the County after the news conference, Mr. Astorino is reported as saying  he would most likely line veto the restoration of the current day care rates and the neighborhood centers.

In addition to nature centers, and health centers, the board also restored funding to the Cornell Cooperative Extension, Arts Westchester, legal aid, the Westchester County Probation Department, eviction and homeless prevention programs and food banks.

According to legislators Pete Harkham and Chairman Ken Jenkins, this budget was passed without having to dip into the fund balance. The legislators’ both explained that the money came primarily from the Department of Social Services which underspent their budget last year.

This morning, County Executive Rob Astorino  in a press conference, admitted that negotiating this budget was indeed difficult and that he will more than likely be vetoing certain line items, without saying what..

A news release from the Department of Communications Friday afternoon reports that Mr. Astorino plans at least two vetos of line items– neighborhood centers and restoration of the county day care rate:

“The county executive said he is likely to veto the addition by the board of $1.9 million for three neighborhood health centers and changes to the day care subsidy program. Astorino has argued that the health centers, which provide non-mandated services, run at a profit without county subsidy, noting that their executive directors earn combined salaries of more than $1 million. He had questioned the merit of giving these outside agencies money while the county’s own Department of Health was facing cuts.

            As to day care, he has proposed increasing the parent contribution to 35 percent for non-mandated day care, the same amount paid by parents in New York City and many other New York counties. This would increase the number of families that would be able to receive aid by 600.

 

He re-iterated that he was disappointed with CSEA in the fact that he perceives that they are unwilling to negotiate the terms of their upcoming contract negotiations. Astorino has been asking for union members to begin contributing to their health care and pension benefits.

Astorino also did not address the issue of placing workers who appear to have received jobs as patronage favors. CSEA Vice-President Manu read a short list at Tuesday’s public hearing at the County Center. Union officials are concerned that these workers have been placed in positions without having to apply for and take the civil service examination. CSEA workers believe that those patronage positions should be eliminated first before their own members are laid off.

Astorino did not however address the issues of having sales tax revenue which was larger than he earlier anticipated, leaving many taxpayers to wonder if the financial health of Westchester County is not as dire as the County Executive would like us to believe.

 This budget is last one where the CE will have to deal with a supermajority of Democrats on the legislative board. It remains to be seen whether or not the next  year will be more productive for the Astorino administration. After January 1^st, there will now be 7 Republicans sitting on the County Board.

Westchester taxpayers however will see little or no change in their upcoming tax bill. Westchester County taxes make up only 20% of the average tax bill. Local school taxes are usually around 65% of the average tax bill and have steadily increased over the years.

Hits: 0

WPCNR MR. AND MRS. AND MS. WHITE PLAINS POLL. December 9,2011:

In four days this week Governor Cuomo presented the New York State legislature with a sweeping overhaul of New York State Tax rates, creating tax cuts for all income levels.

If you earn net income from $40,000 to $150,000, your tax rate declines from 6.85% to 6.45%

If you earn $150,000 to $300,000, tax rate declines from 6.85% to 6.65%.

If you earn $300,000 to $2 Million ($1 Million if a single taxpayer), your tax rate declines from 7.85% to 8.97% down to 6.85% ( a full 1 %)

If you earn over $2 Million your current tax rate of 8.97% declines to 8.82%.

So the question is how are you going to use this windfall, Mr. and Mrs. White Plains. I thought of a few possibilities the windfall can be used for at the right.

 

Hits: 0

WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. From Assemblyman Robert Castelli’s Office (A.D. District 89) December 8, 2011:

Assemblyman Robert J. Castelli (R, C – Goldens Bridge) reports Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that $67 million in funding has been awarded to the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council, continuing an effort to redesign the way state government works in order to drive economic growth and create jobs.

            Castelli called the $67 million funding award the capstone of a historic week in Albany, with yesterday’s passage of a tax reform deal. “Westchester County families, seniors and businesses have been hit hard by the state’s high taxes like the MTA payroll tax, which has stifled economic growth and eroded jobs throughout the lower Hudson Valley. While the legislation we passed is far from perfect, I am confident that by reducing the job-killing MTA payroll tax’s impact on Westchester County job creators and by reforming the state’s tax code, our state’s economy can begin to get back on track,” he said.

            “To further help promote economic growth, today’s funding awards will help rebuild our region’s decaying infrastructure and invest in high-tech job creation and education,” Castelli said. “Coupled with yesterday’s tax cuts, lawmakers have taken an important step to revitalizing New York’s economy. Now the Legislature must continue to work together to provide relief from unfunded mandates and reduce state spending in order to ensure that these investments are not undone by Albany’s tax-and-spend culture.”

A breakdown of some of the awards to the Mid-Hudson region follows:

 

Strategy for Investment in Region Resources and Emerging Bio-Tech Sector

The Mid-Hudson strategic plan was designed to take advantage of the region’s location and resources. The Mid-Hudson Region contains a diverse mix of urban, suburban, and rural areas, a full spectrum of businesses, local colleges and universities; a highly diversified and educated workforce; and proximity to New York City.

Biotech Incubator Center for Advanced Research at New York Medical College

$4 million will develop the New York Medical College’s Biotech Incubator Center for Advanced Research in Westchester County. This project, that Assemblyman Castelli worked on along with Assemblyman Steve Katz (R, I – Mohegan Lake), is part of a public-private effort to enhance job growth in the biotech sector and to enhance preparedness against chemical and biologic threats. This project will stimulate partnerships among scores of biotech companies not only in the Mid-Hudson Region, but also in Rochester, the Capital District and the SUNY academic centers.

Affordable Housing

More than $30 million will go toward the development of affordable housing and to community revitalization throughout the region, including $400,000 for construction of 10 single-family townhouse at Cockren Commons in the Hamlet of Armonk within the town of North Castle.

Industrial Development

More than $8 million will be invested in local manufacturing firms, including $5 million for San-Mar Manufacturing to upgrade its facility to develop the regulatory infrastructure requirements set by the FDA. An additional $950,000 will go to Silarx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to expand a manufacturing facility for quality generic liquid pharmaceutical products.  

Infrastructure Investments

Over $3 million will go toward critical infrastructure investments for local municipalities.

Announced in July, the Regional Councils represent a fundamental shift in the state’s approach to economic development from a top-down development model to a community-based, performance driven approach which empowers individual areas to develop comprehensive strategic plans that invest in regional solutions to create jobs and economic growth. As part of the Regional Council process, a Strategic Plan Review Committee had analyzed and ranked the strategic plans for each region competing for specially targeted economic development funding.

“Regional collaborations and planning is a roadmap to get New Yorkers back to work,” Governor Cuomo said. “The plans submitted by all ten regions were truly extraordinary. For the first time, we are putting the power of the State Government behind the innovation of our people, giving them the tools to rebuild our economy.”

“The Mid-Hudson Regional Council’s plan tapped into our region’s assets, its scenic beauty, highly educated workforce, and close proximity to New York City, which makes it the integral link between upstate and downstate,” Castelli said. “This plan will generate high tech jobs, revitalize our infrastructure, like the Tappan Zee Bridge, and continue Westchester and the region’s role as the economic engine of New York State.”

The plans are the result of months of consideration by the Regional Councils and input from the public in each region. The process included holding over 100 public meetings, forums and community workshops across the State. Thousands of New Yorkers contributed to the development of the plans through these events.

In addition to the strategic planning grants made available through the Regional Council initiative, a Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) was created to give businesses and other entities streamlined and expedited access to economic development funding from nine state agencies and 29 existing programs.