Deals, Deficits & Dysfunction

For almost half a century, Republicans controlled the state senate with an iron fist. They cut the Democratic Minority out of power, and locked the people of New York out of government. All the while they conducted backroom deals for their own benefit and the benefit of the special interests fueling their campaigns. Republican rule was characterized by sky-high tax rates, out-of-control spending, and fiscal gimmickry to hide the true costs of their irresponsibility. Taxes Senate Republicans have failed New Yorkers. For over 40 years, they passed tax-hike after tax-hike on the middle class to fund outrageous, unnecessary, and redundant programs. Republicans had over four decades to lower taxes and bring real relief to New Yorkers. For forty-four years, they failed to deliver on their promises to New Yorkers. During the final three decades of the Republicans Majority, New York State had the highest state and local tax burden in the nation for 27 out of 30 years. In the other 3 years, New Yorkers shouldered the second highest tax burden. Three New York counties rank in the top ten most taxed in the nation. Government Spending Republicans claim to be fiscally conservative, but their record tells a different story. While New Yorkers tightened their belts, Republicans went on a spending spree. Between 1984 and 2008, state spending increased by almost $100 billion – many times the rate of inflation. Despite promises to rein in spending, Republicans violated their own “spending cap” 24 times in 28 years. During the Pataki-Bruno ...