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Assemblyman Bill Magnarelli:
Get the truth about the state budget
Clearing up the myths surrounding the budget...
“In these historically troubling economic times, passing a fiscally responsible budget was especially daunting. Tough choices had to be made. However, I believe that the enacted budget is fair and will put New York on the road to recovery.”

– Assemblyman Bill Magnarelli

Myth: State spending was increased by $10 million.
Truth: State spending was actually cut by $6 billion. Only when factoring in federal stimulus money does state spending appear to be higher.

Myth: The STAR program was eliminated.
Truth: Despite Magnarelli’s efforts, the STAR rebate program was eliminated, but Basic and Enhanced STAR property tax exemptions will still give Onondaga homeowners hundreds of dollars in property tax savings.

Myth: Income taxes were raised on all New Yorkers.
Truth: Ninety-seven percent of New Yorkers will not see any income tax increase. Only households earning $300,000 a year or individuals earning $200,000 a year will see a small, temporary income tax increase. The budget also rejected $2.1 billion in taxes and fees that would have burdened the middle class.

Myth: The budget included no reforms.
Truth: The budget begins permanent health care reimbursement reforms and investments that will lead to $1.6 billion in savings this year and billions more in future years.

Myth: This is an irresponsible budget.
Truth: The budget closed a record $17 billion budget deficit and reduced the future budget gap by 80 percent. The projected 4-year budget deficit of $60 billion that New York taxpayers would have had to grapple with is drastically slashed to $11 billion. It was also necessary to use federal stimulus funds because President Obama has made it clear that these funds must be spent quickly to help foster our economic recovery.

Assemblyman Bill Magnarelli
Room 840 • 333 East Washington Street • Syracuse, NY 13202
428-9651 •
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