Dec 18, 2008 6:24 am US/Eastern
CBS 2 HD Does Math On Paterson's 88-Tax Plan
How Will This Impact Average New Yorkers?
It Will All Depend On What And How Much You Like To Buy
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (CBS) ―
-
-
New York Gov. David Paterson takes the wraps off his $121 billion budget plan on Tuesday. The budget is expected to call for deep cuts in local and school funding.
AP
The economic crisis has New York's governor calling for dozens of new taxes and fees -- on everything from manicures to music downloads. CBS 2 HD has been "counting the cost" to see how average New Yorkers might be affected.
New Yorkers face a blizzard of proposed new taxes and fees -- and many are thundering mad.
"It wouldn't be something I would be proud of paying," one resident said.
There's the so-called "iPod tax."
Kysandra Thomas of White Plains said she downloads about 28 songs per month. Well, according to CBS 2 HD's math, 28 songs would equal $2.27 in new taxes.
Then there's the "obesity tax."
Karen Ruggiero of Staten Island said she drinks about four cans of full-calorie soda a day. The proposed "obesity tax" on four cans a day at 18 cents per can equals $21.60 per month.
"Yes I am, which means I would probably have to stop drinking soda!" Ruggiero said.
The governor also wants to take a cut of all kinds of personal services that are currently untaxed -- everything from barbering and hair styling to manicures, pedicures, massages and gym memberships.
A typical New Yorker can add it all up. A gym membership, a haircut, two manicures, a cable bill, four movie tickets, a daily non-diet soda, some new clothes, some digital downloads and a higher gas tax, under the governor's plan, would cost you almost $30 a month in new taxes.
Pace University economist Ron Filante said Paterson has decided to increase taxes on what people spend, rather than on what they earn.
"This particular governor has decided to make everybody feel a little pain," Filante said. "These broad-based tax plans go after the money at the average person, who says 'Why me? Why not go after the rich cats?'"
Filante said opponents are already lining up and it's unlikely Paterson will get all of the 88 new taxes and fees he's looking for.
Paterson said the new taxes and fees are needed to raise billions of dollars and avoid devastating cuts to education and healthcare.
For more highlights of his proposed budget,
click here.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
2009 Celebrity Deaths, July-Dec.
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
