by Cliff Weathers
Albany, Dec 8 — Almost in the blink of an eye, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo called for tax-code reform, got support from key State Senate Republicans, and had his plan approved in an extended session Thursday morning.
Late Wednesday night, the Republican controlled NYS Senate unanimously passed Cuomo’s plan to jumpstart New York’s economy. Soon after, the Assembly debated the legislation, overwhelmingly passing it at about 1a.
Albany, Dec 7 — Depending on how you see things, the proposed replacement for New York State’s millionaire’s tax is a huge victory for income distribution and fairness, a giant flip-flop by the governor, or a chance for the really rich to get away without paying their fair share. But if you speak fluent Alban-yse, you’ll probably see it as a deal with something in it for everyone.
by Beth Riso
Thirty people made a difference last week saving thousands of dollars for thousands of Orangetown taxpayers.
The Orangetown Town Council, which had been set to over-ride Governor Cuomo’s two percent tax cap approved last July, abruptly turned about face and voted No after a citizen outcry at last Wednesday’s Town Council Meeting.
by Cliff Weathers
Upper / South / Nyack voters live in a village that’s inside a town that’s embedded in a county, a fact that’s apparently lost on many residents of the Nyack river villages.
Nyack, August 22 — As we approach the September Democratic Primary, we’ll hear from the two mayoral and two Village Board candidates on one topic each week. Mayor Richard Kavesh is running for re-election against Trustee Jen White. Incumbent Trustee Doug Foster and former Trustee Marie Lorenzini are running for two open seats on the Village Board.
Question: Given reduced revenue for the village as a result of the recession and the NYS two percent tax cap, should the Village of Nyack explore some form of consolidation with adjacent municipalities to reduce expenses?
by John Patrick Schutz
Ever wonder why there’s a Nyack, Upper Nyack, South Nyack? Not to mention a Central Nyack and a West Nyack?
It can be confusing even to those of us who’ve lived here all of our lives.
Nyack, April 7 — Nyack’s tax increases over the past two years have been whoppers: 9.49 and 8.5 percent respectively in 2009 and 2010. Given the cuts in state aid and the rising cost of employee heathcare, village homeowners should be bracing for another over-the-top increase. Yet the 2010-11 tax hike is a tiny 1.6 percent. You never want to question good news…but inquiring minds still want to know: what gives?
Nyack’s Chamber of Commerce says two recent decisions to reduce fees charged by the village will increase local economic opportunities.
Upper Nyack’s Village Board presented a path to independence from Clarkstown this week, offering the hope of lower taxes, greater local autonomy, improved police service and a new local park area in the future town-village. But the trustees didn’t explain how they would get approval from 2/3 of the Rockland Legislature, a majority of town voters and buy-in from the other villages in Clarkstown to make that dream a reality.
Commentator Scott Baird says Obama’s small business initiatives are on right target to fix the economy.
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