Tax Freedom Day is a day when you, the taxpayer, have worked long enough to pay your annual federal, state and local taxes. This year, New York’s Tax Freedom Day falls on May 8, one of the latest in the nation.

According to the Tax Foundation, in 2012, the average personal income tax collected was $2,431, the highest in the nation. That same year, average property taxes collected were $2,435 per person, making New York’s property taxes the fourth-highest in America. The exorbitant cost of living, and the burden and expense of doing business in New York, are driving people out of the state in droves.

The governor and Assembly Majority act as if there isn’t a tax problem in our state. This is obvious because there was no middle-class tax relief in this year’s budget – none. Adding insult to injury was that the only tax relief included was a measure giving yacht and private plane tax breaks to the wealthy. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, downstate politicians will remind you how out of touch they can be.

The pain of high taxes doesn’t just impact the individual, high taxes have a profound effect on our communities and local economy. Rural upstate New York needs revitalization. However, if a large portion of our individual incomes are consumed by tax obligations, what is left to invest locally in ourselves and our families, let alone in new business ventures or other economic development activities? Simply put, high taxes are slowing down progress and ending prosperity in New York.

Fixing New York’s tax problem isn’t just something that should be addressed during budget time. Elected officials should be using the entire legislative session to work diligently to lift tax burdens on New York’s hardworking families. It is important that we prioritize this critical work to keep families and jobs here in our state.

During the remainder of legislative session, I will be discussing my concerns with my legislative colleagues and urging them to support some of the many tax relief bills I sponsor. These measures include property tax relief, especially for our seniors and farmers, to energy tax relief. If you’d like to learn more about my proposals or have thoughts on this or any other legislative topic, please share them with me by emailing me at blankenbushk@assembly.state.ny.us or by calling 493-3909.