This week Mr. McKinney once again railed about the 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act.

The independent nonprofit tax policy “think tank”, The Tax Foundation whose policy is “to improve lives through tax policies that lead to greater economic growth and opportunity” reviewed the 2017 law and determined “the plan would significantly lower marginal tax rates and the cost of capital, which would lead to 3.5 percent higher GDP over the long term, 2.7 percent higher wages, and an additional 890,000 full-time equivalent jobs.” https://taxfoundation.org/2017-tax-cuts-jobs-act-analysis/

The Tax Foundation also “interprets individual tax burden by what taxpayers actually spend in local and state taxes. Its State and Local Tax Burden Rankings study reported that “Americans paid an average rate of 9.9 percent in state and local taxes in 2012.” It’s no surprise to residents of our state that New York State residents were paying the highest rate at 12.7% followed closely by Connecticut 12.6% and New Jersey 12.2%. California and Wisconsin came in at 11%. turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/fun-facts/states-with-the-highest-and-lowest-taxes/L6HPAVqSF

Meanwhile New York State is facing a $6 billion deficit in 2020 and the Governor is talking about expanding his ‘free tuition’ program. Thruway tolls are being frozen at least through 2020 due to a “$2 billion infusion to the Thruway Stabilization Fund included in the state budget.” http://www.thruway.ny.gov/news/pressrel/2019/07/2019-07-10-mcb-toll-advisory-panel.html Looks like Albany will be once again looking to the state taxpayers to fund their follies. Maybe they should instead reassess their priorities and try cutting programs that are helping to drive residents to lower taxed states. Perhaps Mr. McKinney can look to Albany for relief.