Nassau Standard

Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) expressed concerns about New York's tax environment and economic outlook during a press conference at the New York State Capitol. Ra highlighted the challenges faced by New Yorkers, stating, “It’s no surprise New York is once again ranked last in terms of our tax environment—New Yorkers pay some of the highest taxes in the country and contend with an outrageously high cost of living, and we consistently come in last for our business climate. These factors lie at the heart of the problem in New York—it’s simply unaffordable.”

Ra further pointed out the heavy reliance on a small percentage of taxpayers for a significant portion of the state's personal income tax collections. He criticized the proposal by majority colleagues to increase taxes on this group, emphasizing the negative impact it could have on state revenues and budget stability. Ra also raised concerns about the repeated nature of tax hikes, stating, “Despite previous claims of ‘temporary’ tax increases, both majorities are proposing to raise top income tax rates again this year, reaffirming that tax hikes are rarely ‘temporary.’”

In an effort to address this concerning trend, Ra called for a focus on fiscal responsibility and endorsed legislation aimed at enhancing budget transparency, controlling spending, strengthening reserves, and reducing long-term debt. He believes that these measures would help alleviate the burden on taxpayers and make New York a more affordable, economically stable, and attractive place to live and work.