Assemblyman Dave McDonough (R,C,I-Merrick) today wrote to the New York State Tax Relief Commission detailing his proposals for tax relief in New York State and urging the commission to take the proposals into consideration when they present their findings to Gov. Cuomo in December. The Commission, co-chaired by former Gov. George Pataki and former State Comptroller H. Carl McCall, was created in August with the mission of submitting recommendations to the governor that address New York’s burdensome tax climate.

“New York is known nationwide not for our great assets but for our culture of oppressive taxes and red-tape, which stymie the efforts of our hardworking citizens and entrepreneurs to build a better life,” said McDonough. “It’s no wonder that New York State was recently ranked 50th in the nation by the Tax Foundation, and there is little relief in sight if we continue down the current path. The new Tax Relief Commission is faced with a tall task, but I know Gov. Pataki and Comptroller McCall will make every effort to present a proposal to reduce the burdensome taxes facing our businesses and families.”

The plan detailed by McDonough contained proposals to enact a full repeal of the MTA Payroll Tax, a full repeal of the state’s temporary Utility Assessment (18-a), and make permanent the current middle-class income tax rate. McDonough also addressed the need for business tax relief, including establishing a business startup program that would cut application fees for new businesses by 50 percent for their first year, a decrease in the corporate franchise tax for medium- and large-size businesses from 7.1 percent to 6.85 percent, and a phase-out of the corporate franchise tax for small businesses over six years.

“I look forward to carefully reviewing the Commission’s recommendations this December so that we may hit the ground running as we begin next year’s legislative session. We must make a continuous effort to enact meaningful relief for New York’s taxpayers,” concluded McDonough.

The New York State Tax Relief Commission will make its recommendations to Gov. Cuomo by December 6, 2013 for inclusion in his 2014 State of the State message.