The debate over raising taxes as part of New York’s budget is becoming a test of how far Democrats will go in the state’s legislature to tackle their party mate, Governor Andrew Cuomo.
After last year’s election, Democrats have a two-thirds majority in both the state legislature and the senate – enough to dominate a government’s veto. Proponents of tax increases are pushing lawmakers to flex their muscles during the budget process, which will dominate the Capitol until the next fiscal year begins on April 1st.
Mr. Cuomo proposed a $ 193 billion spending plan that includes $ 1.5 billion in tax increases for people who report $ 5 million or more annually. But after describing the plan, he once breathed a sigh of relief at its possible negative consequences if wealthy people were to leave the state. Mr. Cuomo said the plan could be avoided if the U.S. Congress approves more aid to the state.
Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, a Yonkers Democrat, said last week that she would strive for a tax increase regardless of the amount of federal funding. The speaker of the meeting, Carl Heastie, a Democrat from the Bronx, had previously voted to approve tax increases and fruitlessly insisted on raising rates in December.
If neither side emerges, the result could be the first two-chamber veto domination during Mr. Cuomo’s three terms.