Tax cuts aren’t necessarily bad
To the Editor:
I read with interest in the April issue that PEF was opposing the governor’s proposed income and business tax cuts that “would primarily benefit large corporations and the wealthiest New Yorkers.”

In some political circles, it is routine to object to any tax cuts proposed by a Republican on the grounds they will primarily benefit the rich. However, an income tax cut would benefit our fellow state employees, most or all of whom pay state income taxes, even a working stiff like me, who is not a cigar-chomping tycoon as regularly featured in The Communicator.

And as for business taxes, a main reason many companies fled New York for lower-tax states has been our high taxes. The companies are necessary as a source of jobs.

As you say, a tax cut could result in cuts in services. New York has been among the most generous states in providing services and programs. The philosophy has been, the more spent on programs and services, the better. The money source, of course, had to be taxes. So, naturally, we’re the highest taxed citizens in the nation, all taxes considered.

However, despite all the U.S. spends on education, for example, in the latest Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS, 2003), which compared mathematics and science in industrialized countries around the world, U.S. pupils ranked 12th in 4th grade math. and 6th in 4th grade science. The U.S. 8th graders declined to 15th in math and 9th in science.

MILTON STEINBERG
Chestnut Ridge

Editor’s Note: PEF is very selective about the specific tax measures it supports and opposes.
The union is particularly concerned with tax proposals that are designed to balloon in future years and create a high risk of future budget deficits. The governor’s tax cut proposals would have cost $927 million this year, but that would grow to $3 billion next year and $4.5 billion in four years. His proposed tax cuts for business would have cost the state $175 million this year. But that would grow to $926 million in just two years. They already pay a lower rate than they did 30 years ago.

PEF opposed a proposal to completely repeal the New York state Estate Tax by 2010. This tax only applies to estates of more than a million dollars and affects only a few hundred of the largest estates in New York each year.

People with annual incomes of more than $200,000 would have reaped 24 percent of the benefit of the proposed personal income tax cuts, credits and rebates. Currently, New York taxpayers with yearly incomes of more than $634,000 only pay about 6.5 percent of their incomes in state and local taxes, while the rest of state taxpayers pay between 10 percent and 12 percent.

For more details about the state tax proposals, go online to www.pef.org and select “Budgets, then “Executive Budget Summary Memo.”

Letters helped boost bill
To the Editor:
I thought I would share with PEF the letters I received from state Assembly Member Donna Lupardo (D-126) and state Sen. Thomas Libous (R-52). These letters were in response to my letters to them regarding the need to protect health benefits for retirees.

I am pleased the letters show bi-partisan support in my region for bill A.9722/S.6397.

Libous thanked me for writing and said the bill passed in the Senate May 2 with his support. He added that it had been referred to the Government Employees Committee in the Assembly.

Lupardo said, “After reading your letter and carefully reviewing the bill, I have decided to become a sponsor of this legislation. I really appreciate your bringing this matter to my attention.”

I am also pleased that PEF Retirees President Stephen Muscarella called this issue and legislation to my attention in his column in the April issue of The Communicator. And I am quite happy I received positive responses from my local representatives in the state Legislature.
Thank you.

BOB PHILLIPS
Binghamton

Editor’s Note: The bill cited above would ensure state retirees’ health insurance coverage will not be diminished unless an equivalent change is made to the health benefits of state employees.

In his April column, Muscarella urged readers to contact their state legislators and urge them to support the bill.

The Communicator Letters policy
We welcome letters to the editor about union issues and events relevant to PEF's diverse membership.

All letters are subject to editing for space, fairness and good taste.

Please keep them brief (up to one page, double-spaced or a maximum of 250 words), and please include your name and phone number for verification.
Send letters to:
The Communicator
Public Employees Federation
P.O. Box 12414
Albany, N.Y. 12212-2414

Email to Sherry Halbrook,  Editor or Darcy Wells, Editor-In Chief.

The Communicator June 2006

Features
Making Cost-Benefit Analysis law
Nurses Storm Capital
Stony Brook Nurses save tot
Legislature overrides vetoes

Departments
President's Message
You Said It - Member's Mailbag
Retirees in Action
Member Highlights
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Pressure builds to pass bills
WPV survivor speaks up
Workers Memorial Day
PEF-DOCS joint conference
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Walking program unites mermbers
DOL office closure stopped
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Reg. 11 now has Brooklyn office

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