State’s onerous burden on taxpayers must not be increased yet again

The following is an editorial from the Buffalo News.

Sheldon Silver needs to get his mind right. Earlier this month, he said on Fredric U. Dicker’s influential Albany radio program that “I don’t think tax increases are on the table” as the state seeks to close a budget deficit expected to reach at least $3 billion.

But in Thursday’s Buffalo News, the Assembly speaker would not rule out raising taxes. He was right the first time.

More than any individual in Albany, Silver is responsible for the condition of the state budget. With a solid majority in the Assembly, he has more clout than leaders of the fractured Senate or the politically wounded governor.

What is more, Silver exercises complete control over the chamber. Nothing comes up for a floor vote unless he wants it to, and everything that does come up for a vote passes — including the 2009-10 budget. That document did just about everything wrong, and it still did little to control state spending. Hence, the new budget deficit.”

To read the rest of the editorial click here.