SKARTADOS VOTES FOR BILLIONS IN TAX HIKES BEFORE HE SAYS HE’D VOTE AGAINST THEM
In new statement, Assemblyman Skartados says taxes are “already too high” but fails to mention he’s responsible for highest tax hike in New York’s history
This week, Mid-Hudson Valley Assemblyman Frank Skartados (D-100th A. D.) was caught doing a tax two-step with voters by saying taxes are “already too high” without disclosing that his votes in Albany to hike taxes and fees by billions of dollars are to blame.
In an October 16th statement, Skartados said:
“We can not afford to balance the budget by increasing taxes and fees because they are already too high.”
“Hudson Valley residents, in particular, can’t afford to pay more taxes and fees than we’re paying now.”
However, Skartados failed to mention he already voted this year for the following tax hikes:
• (A.157-B) which included $5.7 billion in tax hikes, the largest in New York State history. This bill raised several taxes including on rental cars, beer, and wine sales and led to a SUNY tuition hike of $620 per student.
• (A.153-C) that eliminated STAR property tax rebate checks costing homeowners $386 and seniors $458 more this year to pay off their property tax bills.
• (A.159-B) includes 41 separate license and fee hikes for sportsmen including increases for fishing, hunting, and outdoor recreation for a total of $62.9 million. This same bill also hiked taxes on utility bills by $561 million.
• (A.157-B and A. 158-B) allows for $649.9 million in health care tax hikes that makes it harder for working people to afford the medical treatment they need and deserve.
“Assemblyman Skartados repeatedly voted to hike taxes on working people and now he’s complaining that taxes are ‘too high’. That’s called the tax two-step: hike taxes and fees in Albany when no one is looking and then tell the folks back home that we’re getting over-taxed without taking responsibility for causing that pain,” said Kathleen Hennessey, Spokeswoman for the New York Republican Assembly Campaign Committee (RACC).
