For Immediate Release Contact: Glynda C. Carr
March 16, 2009 646-502-2923
WILLING TO PAY: STANDING UP FOR FAIR SHARE TAX REFORM
By Gerard and Lilo Leeds
Like many other upper-income families, we have been vocal supporters of the Fair Share Tax Reform as the best solution to restoring the fiscal health of this State. We believe that just as having efficient highways or strong bridges in your district is not a privilege of the rich, so too must a quality education be available to all children. Now that the economy has taken a downturn, we are prepared and willing to do our part to keep our state functioning.
Yet the Governor and some state legislators continue to posture that increasing taxes for households earning more than $250,000 will fuel an exodus of millionaires, despite evidence to the contrary. When lawmakers passed a temporary increase in the income tax rate on the wealthy in 2003, the economy continued to grow, as did the number of wealthy New Yorkers. Across the river in New Jersey, the state’s increased tax on people making more than $500,000 had little effect on where they chose to live.
So, Governor Paterson, even with increased income taxes, we are not going anywhere! Wealthy New Yorkers are not eager to sell their homes on Long Island and other suburbs and leave the state, rather than pay a minimal tax percentage increase. We are willing to pay our fair share in taxes.
We escaped to the United States from Nazi Germany, as children, with little other than our education. Through hard work, our families took the opportunities that America offered and we realized the American Dream by building a successful family business. We raised our children in this great state and they all attended excellent public schools. As unwavering supporters of public education, we have invested our resources toward securing equitable education for all children.
Public education is a universally-held core value. Education Voters’ polling found that 97% of poll respondents believe that every child, regardless of race or income, deserves an excellent education.
Our number one priority must be providing all our children with the opportunity to learn. We must not ask our children to carry the burden of these deep budget cuts, which will inevitably result in larger class sizes and teacher layoffs. Building a strong economy requires an educated, healthy workforce.
By increasing taxes on people making more than $250,000 a year, the state can generate an estimated $6 billion in new revenue. This revenue could prevent the devastating budget cuts to education proposed in Gov. Paterson’s executive budget. It is unfair to balance the budget on the backs of school children.
Albany must reverse the years of Governor Pataki’s irresponsible tax cuts. By sustaining the flat income tax system in which working class families and the very rich pay the same tax rate, we are driving ourselves into the ground. The common sense, responsible solution is that we all — including the wealthy – need to do our fair share.
The Federal Stimulus package while doing some good things is simply not enough. The stimulus monies will narrow this year’s budget gap and are pivotal to our state’s economic recovery. Unless we reform our personal income tax structure, basic state services such as educating our children will continue to be at risk every year, during every budget debate. We need to develop a fair taxation system where everyone shares in the burden of our economic recovery.
Our elected officials must muster the moral courage to manage our dollars with common sense. We call upon the Governor and the legislature to have the political will and the moral fortitude to do what one hundred leading economists and 79 percent of New Yorkers agree is the best way to end this fiscal nightmare: implement a Fair Share Tax system. It is the responsible way to save our education system, support our children and maintain our economy.
The Leeds are founding members of Education Voters, a leading advocacy organization building public demand for sound education policy by conducting issue advocacy campaigns and electing pro-public education leaders and holding them accountable for transforming education policy.
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For Immediate Release Contact: Glynda C. Carr
March 16, 2009 646-502-2923
WILLING TO PAY: STANDING UP FOR FAIR SHARE TAX REFORM
By Gerard and Lilo Leeds
Like many other upper-income families, we have been vocal supporters of the Fair Share Tax Reform as the best solution to restoring the fiscal health of this State. We believe that just as having efficient highways or strong bridges in your district is not a privilege of the rich, so too must a quality education be available to all children. Now that the economy has taken a downturn, we are prepared and willing to do our part to keep our state functioning.
Yet the Governor and some state legislators continue to posture that increasing taxes for households earning more than $250,000 will fuel an exodus of millionaires, despite evidence to the contrary. When lawmakers passed a temporary increase in the income tax rate on the wealthy in 2003, the economy continued to grow, as did the number of wealthy New Yorkers. Across the river in New Jersey, the state’s increased tax on people making more than $500,000 had little effect on where they chose to live.
So, Governor Paterson, even with increased income taxes, we are not going anywhere! Wealthy New Yorkers are not eager to sell their homes on Long Island and other suburbs and leave the state, rather than pay a minimal tax percentage increase. We are willing to pay our fair share in taxes.
We escaped to the United States from Nazi Germany, as children, with little other than our education. Through hard work, our families took the opportunities that America offered and we realized the American Dream by building a successful family business. We raised our children in this great state and they all attended excellent public schools. As unwavering supporters of public education, we have invested our resources toward securing equitable education for all children.
Public education is a universally-held core value. Education Voters’ polling found that 97% of poll respondents believe that every child, regardless of race or income, deserves an excellent education.
Our number one priority must be providing all our children with the opportunity to learn. We must not ask our children to carry the burden of these deep budget cuts, which will inevitably result in larger class sizes and teacher layoffs. Building a strong economy requires an educated, healthy workforce.
By increasing taxes on people making more than $250,000 a year, the state can generate an estimated $6 billion in new revenue. This revenue could prevent the devastating budget cuts to education proposed in Gov. Paterson’s executive budget. It is unfair to balance the budget on the backs of school children.
Albany must reverse the years of Governor Pataki’s irresponsible tax cuts. By sustaining the flat income tax system in which working class families and the very rich pay the same tax rate, we are driving ourselves into the ground. The common sense, responsible solution is that we all — including the wealthy – need to do our fair share.
The Federal Stimulus package while doing some good things is simply not enough. The stimulus monies will narrow this year’s budget gap and are pivotal to our state’s economic recovery. Unless we reform our personal income tax structure, basic state services such as educating our children will continue to be at risk every year, during every budget debate. We need to develop a fair taxation system where everyone shares in the burden of our economic recovery.
Our elected officials must muster the moral courage to manage our dollars with common sense. We call upon the Governor and the legislature to have the political will and the moral fortitude to do what one hundred leading economists and 79 percent of New Yorkers agree is the best way to end this fiscal nightmare: implement a Fair Share Tax system. It is the responsible way to save our education system, support our children and maintain our economy.
The Leeds are founding members of Education Voters, a leading advocacy organization building public demand for sound education policy by conducting issue advocacy campaigns and electing pro-public education leaders and holding them accountable for transforming education policy.