Guiding True Political Reform in the State of New York
10 Feb
I founded Responsible New York to help reform our great state but the reform we need didn’t start with me and it most certainly doesn’t end with me.
Reform can—and must—come from you.
Reform will only happen when enough New Yorker’s say they’ve had enough and when enough New Yorkers are fed up enough to finally do something about it.
Over the next few months you will see many changes in this website. These changes are intended to bring you (and your friends and family and neighbors) into the process and create a genuine conversation about how we can work together to renew New York. Individually, we are too often ignored by our state leaders. Together, our voices are louder than any special interest and, perhaps, if enough of us speak together we will not be ignored.
I hope you will join me.
-Tom
81 Responses for "A Statement from RNY Founder Tom Golisano"
Hey Tom, why don’t we take up the cause to adopt English as the official language of New York State. Our leaders are looking at ways to save money - if we only printed government documents in one language, and did government phone business in one language, the state would save a boatload of money that could be better used for other things.
Bruce
Thank you for doing something. . . it unbelievable the disparity in the tax burden. Coming from NJ, but living in Rochester for over 30 years I know what home values are like. Wow, it’s unfathomable that NYC metro area real estate valued at 6x to 10x more than upstate are 30 to 40% below our tax rates, especially in counties like Rockland, Westchester, Orange and places on Long Island.
Am I the only one that is outraged at Patterson’s plan to tax non-diet soft drinks? Only 1/3 of Americans are overweight (according to an article in the Buffalo News), yet we must all pay a penalty for these few? I have been put on a high caloric diet due to a high metabolism; to me, this is a form of discrimination. Do I need a doctor’s excuse to be exempt from this stupid tax? When and where will this nonsense end?
Hi Tom,
I just learned about your good work when I came up from PA to visit my father in Rochester. Hopefully, you will be able to get some more traction with many others in your efforts to reduce NYS’s property taxes.
All the best in your efforts and I am looking forward to speaking with you soon.
Tim Law
York, PA
Mr Galisano,
To start with thank you, for getting the ball rolling. The time is NOW, to end the unfair taxing of the hard working people of this state. I fully agree that the property taxes in up state New York are unfair and are not only out of line with other parts of New York State, but also other parts of the country. We also have to reaccess the tax rate for the New Yorkers with the highest incomes, that are not paying there fair share of taxes based on there income. I know if we address these issues we can make a first step (of many) toward making New York truely the Empire State, but if we continue to look the other way hoping this will all go away we are doomed to repeat history. The time is now to demand fair taxes across the board and lift the burdin off the people of this state, who work hard every day just to find they are paying more than there fair share of taxes. Yes, you are right, we as New Yorkers need to standup and say enough is enough and let our voices be heard loud and clear no more high taxes, but more fair taxes.
Sincerely,
Richard
Mr. Golisano,
First as a ny’er I have to thank you for all you have done for upstate ny. Without your belief in our area things would very well be much worse right about now.
As a property owner I feel the pinch during these times. Every year I see my mortgage payments increasing to reflect the hikes in taxes. When housing was booming 4 years ago, the government decided to reappraise everyone’s homes to coincide and reflect these “INFLATED” appraisal values. Now that housing has been decimated, we are all locked in at high appraisal valuations for our homes. For the state government, It is the equivalent of buying a stock at just the right moment in time (one of the greatest spikes in history mind you), at the homeowner’s expense. So not only are we paying higher taxes now today than 4 years ago, we are paying higher tax on a larger assessment. A genius move by the state to make revenue, and I cannot believe that nobody saw anything wrong with this picture. It was wrong and this can be proven by the simple fact that they will not reappraise homes now and give us all a reduction to reflect this drop in value.
I realize that as any city struggles with a tough economy, it has always been the homeowner’s who are called upon to carry them out, in the form of taxes. Just cutting taxes is not the answer. The schools rely on our assistance to thrive, and this should be our first priority. Knowing that I am also giving back to the younger generation, in terms of a proper education, is the only reason that I don’t throw up every time I see my taxes go up.
We are probably all frustrated with property taxes, but is a cut going to help us or cripple our local economy? We have all been looking for governer Patterson to make changes as a state wide reform; but I think it is great that Golisano has called upon all of us individuals and people of NY to be the ambassadors of change ourselves. Enough is enough, but if change doesn’t start all the way at the top, then we are just taking money out of one hand to feed another.
Kevin
I am not sure about anyone else…. but I for one hope that Mr. Golisano runs for Governor again this election. I am a dem. that is sick of the way Patterson is running the state. Each of his ideas are more ridiculous than the last.
Mr. Golisano
Can any one help us in Penfield? The town board is moving forward with a plan to re-assess property values to increase property taxes again.
People, I have talked to, think this is a really bad time for something like this. Personally, I know I could not get the additional $30,000 they say I can for my home, and this will add to a already burdensome amount of taxes I have to pay as a result of being a resident of New York.
Time is running out, they have set a March 2nd deadline for individuals to meet with them. The town has not announced any public meetings that I know of. And, still none of my neighbors or friends say they will join me in making a public statement on this matter or starting a organization where the interests of community residents would be promoted in the future.
George
Tom,
TY for doing something I am paying more in taxes on my mortgage each month then the actual payment. WE need to consolidate I live in Hamlin and we have 3 Small towns within 20 miles ridiculous and expensive.
We also need to stop the high assessments. i had it out with Maggie Brooks when I to her that yes she has raised taxes by inflating home values. Sadly she hung up one me.
I am a nurse home on disablity due to a severe latex allergy I am more then willing to do anything from home that I can to help.
If nothing is done I will have to sell this house in order to survive just due to the the increased property taxes.
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It has been painfully obvious for decades now that we need business people in government instead of lawyers. right now congress has a far less than 50 % favorable rating, but come election time over 90 % of them historically will get re-elected. It’s our fault, we keep putting them back in. The best way to go to the voting booth is with the mindset that you will vote AGAINST every single imcumbent unless you can look at their records and find a reason not to. They won’t change overtaxation policies until they know their jobs depend on it.
Tom, Thanks for starting this forum, I have been a lifelong New Yorker and I have had the feeling that New York State is in a death spiral for some time, a hopeless feeling has come over me about what to do about it. The New York Metro region controls the state and we are only viewed as a cash cow. No real state aid to upstate resulting in higher property taxes, no real mass transit so we have to drive and pay more in gas taxes, more than enough New York State Revenue inhancment agents ( State Troopers ) whose only goal is ticket count resulting in massive fine money and increased insurance rates, Toll roads bridge and tunnel tolls if you need to go to the city or LI. Enough of that, your main focus of property tax reform is long over due but the problem is more than that of numbers, the plain and simple answer is the politics of it all.The real estate tax in areas that have large populations is offset by a larger tax on businesses to keep the employees near, if you raise the taxes on the homeowners of NYC they move to LI, raise the taxes on LI and they all leave and move to South Carolina not upstate, no good jobs.The answer to lower taxes is to get the powers in Albany out of our pockets and reformation of the government jurisdictions but there is no real benefit to the people in power so all you get is lip service. I would like to suggest something a bit different to get Albany`s attention. Boycott everything that you can think of that the state gets revenue from. Don`t do anything that will get you a ticket, don`t buy lottery tickets, don`t use toll roads, don`t drink ANY taxed drinks, buy everything you can over the internet, pay the UPS drivers salary not the tax man, some of these ideas will also hurt businesses but if we don`t do something soon we won`t have any left anyway. Ron
I, also, would like to thank Mr. Golisano for working towards a more fair and equitable tax across NYS. I’ve joined up to receive his news letter but I’d like to help in other ways too. I would like to volunteer my time in this endeavor. Plz let me know if there’s anything I can do. I also urge others to volunteer to help in this effort. Hopefully I will hear from someone in this regard. TY
Hi Tom,
Thank you for bring this to our attention. Now that we all know how we upstate New Yorkers are being subjected to this outrageous out of control tax situation. The question is what do we need to do to correct the problem? What are the next steps? Who is quarter backing this movement to get us out from under this unbelieveable situation?
Please let me know what I need to do.
Thank you,
Dennis
This is just a thought but why do we have assessments at all. What difference does it make what difference there is in homes in a community ? Everyone gets the same services. Why should someone with 3000 sq. ft and a pool pay more than a 1000 sq. ft home when they all get the same services and benefits from the government and public works departments in their community. Governments should just spread the cost among all taxpayers equally. Then we should get inside of all cost and control them.
I would also like to thank Mr. Golisano for raising this issue. But as I understand it, property taxes pay for local services. It follows that they would be different in different localities. The greater concern, I think, are school taxes which are really out of control. It’s astonishing that we are still using a system of school funding designed for the 1800’s before we had states or legal municipalities. At that time it made sense for each little rural community to hire a teacher and share the cost among the residents. It no longer makes sense to do it this way anymore. The State should have sole authority to tax for schools distributing the money equally between districts. Voting on local land and school taxes should be done when State elections are held. This would control emotional voting and the second vote now allowed by school districts which always alows the school districts to win. I would also volunteeer to help Mr. G. in this project. Thanks for listenting. I hope some one responds. Joan
we live in steuben county and have a large amount of welfare recipients, and a large population of amish which combines to make the taxes worse for the rest of us. what the heck choices do we have?? what would help??
Unfortunatly Tom’s group isn’t comparing apples to apples. I live in Ontario county and my ptaxes are considerble less than those in Monroe County. Example. We have Eastview mall which generates huge amounts of tax revenue. Farmington is a growing town, but doesn’t have it’s own school district. Kids in Farmington go either to Victor or Canandaigua. Look at Irondequoit. One town, two districts and so on.
Monroe county has too many layers of government which have to be paid for. Also I’d bet that a $100,000 house in MC is a heck of a lot nicer than in Yonkers.
I agree that ptaxes are generally too high, but does that correspond to the level of service that we get? There are other items that add to the cost of NYS ptaxes. One big factor is the generous retirement that government officials get. Mayor Duffy collects his police pension AND is getting paid for being mayor. How about either/or, but not both?
This tax issue just can’t be defined by one item. Another fact the you readers may not know is NYS medicaid is MORE than California and Texas, COMBINED!! Yes that is combined. How come no one is bringing that up. Lower state medicad and ptaxes will go down.
More attention should be given to the cause and not the end results!
Thanks for providing a forum for us NYS taxpayers. It seems that our lawmakers and tax setters only hear from public employee unions and other advocacy groups with a financial interest in keeping our taxes high. May I suggest, as one other respondent did, that you post a list of simple and lawful ways to protest and avoid these ruinous taxes. To that list I would add, always contest your property tax assessment! Do your homework, be polite and respectful, but do not accept the assessors judgement until you have convinced yourself that the valuation is accurate.
On the matter of school budgets, can we do something to give the taxpayers a real voice? School budget votes are a farce because the ‘austerity’ budget laws are rigged in favor of the spenders. And the proposed 4% tax cap that has so many teachers and school adminstrators in a tizzy is no answer either,,, unless its a lower cap. It would just a green light to increase the budget 4% every year without the annoyance of a sham budget vote.
I was shocked when I read the ad in the newspaper on the disparity in tax rates in this state, but so glad to see someone was putting it out there for us to see. I will definitely help in any way I can to put a stop to this. My husband and I were forced to retire early, he because his job left, and me for medical reasons, and we would love to sell our home because we cannot afford the taxes here. Thanks to Tom Golisano for all he is doing.
Very good thinking. I think one of your reponders suggested adopting the English language for New York. A great Idea. My taxes on my house are so high, I may have to go back in the ski business. I’m right behind you Tom.
John
People are going to have to live simpler lives. Less costy cars and homes. A food tax of 5% will spread the burden to all people when medicaid costs grow. Democrats will say no but higher property taxes are paid for by the poor through higher rents, etc… But like all of you. I agree, the problem is out of the box. Perhaps we should make an educational film about how bad it is and how it got this way and then put it into a mini-series and show it weeks before the elections.
Joe Vecchio, mechanic, small business owner, fireman,
writer/director of, 1. Sex, Lies and Video Tape in Skaneateles, a mockumentary musical about town hall politics, and 2. WHY I LEFT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND JOINED AL QAEDA. A satirical educational documentary about energy, hypocrisy and liberal democrats. Go to: Borodinobullett.com
ps Tom is it true that NYS’s unemployment insurance system ran out of money on the first working day of the year? We are borrowing money for this fund from the US government ( 212 million ) and that NYS businesses will have to pick up the interest cost in the future? What next? Thank you all for the postings.
Tom,
The answer is term limits. If you need me to assist you in any capacity, let me know.
Leon Reed
Tom,
Thank you for taking the “bull by the horns” & actually trying to fix some of this mess in NY. Having been a realtor for the last 15 years has really shown the drop in property values, esp. in the last 6 months-approx.
50% of the homes are now selling under assessed value, which in itself is very unusual. BUT the towns keep reassessing them higher anyway. It’s like that joke going around on the internet as the only one who sees your house as a palace is the ASSESSOR! Prices are dropping because the taxes on homes are so high.
Pretty soon everyone will be moving down South, just to get away from these awful taxes!It will be a mass exodus and then what will they do?
A massive tax Revolt/Tea Party is happening on March 28 @ 2:00 @ the Terminus on the waterfront. (under the skyway). Please be there w/ signs. The governor has been personally invited.
contact:
Ellie ecorcoran1@roadrunner.com
Rus rusthompson@roadrunner.com
Hi Tom, I forwarded the petition email to the president of our company and he sent a memo to all of our agents urging them to sign it and to send it to all of their sellers to sign as well.
In Greece homeowners are being advised of unbelievable hikes in their assessments despite a flat market. The justification for this is just as unbelievable as the assessment hikes.
We need to clean up the waste and corrpution that our tax money is being used for.
Donna Jeary
We all owe a debt of gratitude to Mr Golisano
for putting this Property Tax Issue front and center
but more must be done to roll back the taxes in
earnest . We can all make that happen if we work
together to get petitions going with mass numbers
of signatures on them ; that alone will convince Albany
to do the right thing here and every other over taxed
community . Keep up the good fight Mr Golisano and
thank you for showing how other communities in this
same State of New York pay a fraction of what we
property owners pay here in Monroe County ; something surely needs to be done to find parity and
equal taxation across the State .
all state agencies should be reviewed how they are doing business.I will bet they could reduce their cost by 1/3.Just start with the Education Dept.Way to many Chief’s.
pete
As one of the many people in N.Y. State on fixed income and struggling to keep my home, I must say my thoughts are leaving the State that I was born in, worked in, raised my family in and all my friends live in. I’m always amazed when the State needs more money the first thing they think of is raising taxes, why not try a hiring freeze as Governor Palin did in Alaska. It is just commonsense if the Government keeps growing and our good paying manufacturings jobs keep going over seas there won’t be enough working people to support our government. There is only one way to fix New York State and that is to replace every politician that is not working for the people of this great state and that will not happen unless the people of this State unite into a group where there are no democrates or republicans and vote in the right people. Martin Weezorak
P.S. Something else I feel is very unfare about N.Y. State property taxes is; I live in Monroe Co. in the country, my house has a ceptic system and a well which I have to maintain, the only thing I get For my tax dollars is the road out front which is falling apart. I have no street lights, sidewalks, curbs, fire hydrants, sewers, water mains so why should I pay the sam tax rate?
I am a senior living in the City of Rochester. My property taxes were raised by almost $660 per year in 2008 and I can no longer afford my mortgage and the escrow amount required to pay my taxes. I live on a NYS Pension and Social Security and am in danger of losing my home or being forced to sell it before that happens. Why not take a closer look at our County and City Government and see what the checks and balances are with our politicians? I love my home and do not want to lose it or be forced into selling it and moving out of New York State. I am 63 years old and all my family and friends are here and it will break my heart to move away just because of unaffordable and agregious taxes in this State. I have signed Mr. Golisano’s petition and will hope that something is fixed before the worst happens. I don’t want to hear any more from the local politician’s about buying homes and supporting the City of Rochester. Make it possible and affordable and maybe people would find Rochester a welcoming and reassuring place to call home.
Tom,
I appreciate your tenacity in doing what you can to keep New York State a viable place to live and work. It’s a crying shame the shape we are in because the area has so much to offer and its great place to live but it’s simply unaffordable. Every time another college graduate or business leaves our state the financial burdon on the rest of us gets greater. The equasion is simple…we don’t need more income but rather our expenses are grossly out of line in virtually every area. I cringe every time I hear Mr. Patterson announcing some new way he wants to take in more money. He just doesn’t get it. Keep fighting.
Hi–Is tom Golisano duping us on this subject? Does not he fully support the Democrats in our state government?
This is very confusing as we know the Democrats are tax and spend. Golisano must have another agenda he is working on?
Thanks
I’m very pleased to finally know that there are others out there that are just tired of this “spending mentality”.
I agree totally with everything you’ve been saying about the need to cut taxes, by reducing the spending.
I’ve owned my land in Ontario for over 36yrs. When i finally built my dream house in 2000 my property taxes have increased substantially every year. Now i’m unable to afford it anymore, the thought of loosing my dream is becoming more and more of a reality.
guy
Property Taxes are a really big issue in the town of Gates. We are the smallest town and have many burdens like the airport and 2 expressways with traffic that cuts through the center of our town making fire and emergency care difficult. We are also a town of aging citizens with very limited incomes that are shrinking daily. We have very limited corporate or commercial property to support us.
There is no question that NYS mandates what the educational standards are for all schools in our state. We sacrificed to see that all students in our town had the best educations so they could compete with larger districts with higher incomes, now we need the help of the county taxes to help us maintain what we built.
When the young people leave here they don’t stay in Rochester, they go to the sunbelts were the taxes are lower and incomes are higher.
People in Westchester are very happy that their young people stay close by them and support their community.
Mr Golisano is right, there is too much spending without the understanding of who is going to pay for it.
We live in Niagara County which is the highest taxed county in New York State. That’s why we are moving to Florida. We can’t afford to have 2 homes.
A few years back I had an unrealistic assessment on a house I owned in Amherst. I tried to challenge it myself with all the necessary paperwork, but got nowhere, so I hired a private appraiser, who managed to get it lowered. I then sent the bill to not only the assessor, but to the supervisor. After all it was their”mistake” and they should have to pay for it.
Of course, they didn’t, but if everyone does this, it would be 1 form of protest.
Tom and Committee,
Thanks for your ongoing efforts. I have several things to add:
The reason MOST of the silent majority is silent is because we NEVER know if we have all the facts, and rather than make a fool of ourselves, we say NOTHING, allowing the vocal minority to walk all over us.
Having said that, if what I read is fact and not distorted hearsay, why not attack one thing at a time. First: The corrupt, greedy and never satisfied NYS Teachers Association??? Why not get rid of the sub marginal performers? Why not get rid of all the administrators? Why not MAKE parents responsible for their children, yes even at the risk of having to escort them out of the state? We CONTINUE to throw MORE money at education and are satisfied with the continuimg “dumbing down” of the educational system.When we get this monstrosity corrected, our property taxes will come down measurably.
Second, break up the “Danny Donahue” syndrome where they think they are the only contributors to the welfare of the State. Why are they immune to the same market forces that private business and industry must deal with?
I repeat, correct these two obvious money wasters and then we go after the welfare state, the immigrants who come to this state without a job and immediately become a drag on the property tax payers.
Thanks
JAD
Tom,
I’d love to join your effort to bring the outrageous level of property tax back to reality. People, me included, have to make a decision whether or not it is worth living in a state that burdens its people to the breaking point.
I believe the highest hurdle will be getting elected officials to act. Cuts will have to be made and re-election issues are most of these peoples main concern. Taking on teachers unions, government pensions, government payroll, too many government employees and too many services make these elected official fears for their jobs. They will not make the tough decisions necessary to care out what is required. And all elected officials have ensured that their jobs are insulated if they maintain the status quo.
Reforms are necessary but will not be forthcoming under the current system. Let me know what I can do to further your cause, small steps in the right direction will eventually turn into change.
Sincerely,
David Durinzi
Tom,
Again, thanks for your bold leadership! I have one more suggestion for the LONG TERM: nWe simply must get a referendum going to install term limits for our politicians.
You know the pattern, run for election with good, honest intentions. Soon the honest politicians are corrupted by those who simply are interested in perpetuating themselves in office. Then, all the politician does, when re-elected, is to start running for election again, courting favors, approving “pork barrel” for their constituents and the “race is on”. Re: our national politicians,” we won’t get it done in 100 days, maybe not the first term”, are we looking at EIGHT years of this?? This suggestion needs serious consideration for the long haul.
Thanks!
JA DePaolis
Tom,
Again, thanks for your bold leadership! I have one more suggestion for the LONG TERM: We simply must get a referendum going to install term limits for our politicians.
You know the pattern, run for election with good, honest intentions. Soon the honest politicians are corrupted by those who simply are interested in perpetuating themselves in office. Then, all the politician does, when re-elected, is to start running for election again, courting favors, approving “pork barrel” for their constituents and the “race is on”. Re: our national politicians,” we won’t get it done in 100 days, maybe not the first term”, are we looking at EIGHT years of this?? This suggestion needs serious consideration for the long haul.
Thanks!
JA DePaolis
We all agree to a reasonable point.
The first step in changing the statis quo (Federal and State Government size and cost), is new (refurbished?) ideas (smarter policy) to be broadcast across the base. Next is to create a ” vanguard force” to sell and establish these ideas.
Based upon the perspective that two established political parties are collectively responsible for various “plights” I feel we are in, my IDEA became to promote the establishment of a third party (select from existing or create new) to become that force (15 to 20 percent of the vote). This force would serve to force education of “smarter policy” (we can all discuss what that means) via the media and force the Repubs and Dems to include that force (and agenda) into the debate and future elections.
To this end, over the last four elections I have chosen to vote for a third party (my choice has been Libertarian - could become TG).
New ideas (I.E. Austrian Economics resurgence) must have a sufficient force to be heard at a credible level. The two prime parties must fear a third force.
Bottom line…Voting Republican or Democrat will only get you more of the same.
Government must reduce its dependence on an ever expanding rate of economic growth in favor of economic strength and stability. This means drastic changes in ideas about our monetary system as well as fiscal policy.
Suggestion: Visit http://www.mises.org.
Thank you Tom. It is time for sensible thought in state and local governments. I support Erie County Executive Chris Collins. I support consolidation of local municipality services. I hope that we have hit rock bottom - especially with the inflated gas prices in Western New York and now with the Robert Moses Power Plant kicking us again. We need to change the system and change the politicians.
Tom,
Why is it State workers have union contracts that give them a free ride with pensions, health care and early retirements over the private secture? These benifits are paid through taxes and it upsets me when I here of policemen paid fire fighters, school teachers and politicians who benifit from my taxes and recieving early retirements and health care privledges that I could never afford.
Tom,
before I begin let me say thanks for saving our Sabres. Buffalo needs hockey if it wants to be a viable city going forward. I have had an idea in the back of my head for years now and don’t know how to go about it. What if we were to take Syracuse on west and create our own state. We don’t need Albany and NYC. They do nothing but drag the rest of us down. Just like our great nation was built to avoid British rule, we should revolt, as well. It sounds crazy but why not? Could it be done?
I previously left a detailed reply and it is my guess that somebody did not want to hear or see the obvious truth. My comments were removed shortly after being posted.
I’m retired and living on social Security plus withdrawals from my Ira and a small annuity. Much of the money goes to real estate taxes.
High taxes is not an upstate downstate issue. It is a statewide problem. $100,000.00 homes may exist upstate, They are few and far between downstate. I have a small 2 bedroom one bathroom, single story 1000 s.f. summer home, without a basement or garage. It is on 4/10 ths of an acre, in Sag Harbor Village (Town of Southampton NY). In 2004 it was assessed at $345,000.00. In 2006 they inflated the assessment it to $928,000.00 and raised the taxes proportionally. I filed a grievance which was rejected and then I filed suit. The trail was a farce. The hearing was before a retired judge with little or no knowledge of real estate values. He threw me a bone and cut the assessment by approximately $100,000.00. Ultimately the assessor resigned or was fired. In 2007 home values did increase and I could have sold the house for a fair market value of $600,000.00. I complained and In early 2008 my assessment was reduced to a little over $750,000.00. Today I’d be hard pressed to find a buyer at $385,000.00. There are for sale signs on many of the nearby homes and prices will be dropping even further..
My Primary residence in the town of Brookhaven NY (central Suffolk County) is also grossly over assessed. According to the assessor the fair market value was $346,000.00 I filed a grievance and then filed suit. the assessment for my three bedroom one bath 1200 sf ranch type home on one acre, with an unfinished basement and a garage was subsequently reduced to a slightly less than $274,000.00. The taxes were reduced from well over $6,000.00 to just over $4,500.00 per year. If I could find a buyer in today’s market I’d be lucky to get $229,000.00
Many people with average incomes (for the Long Island area) are being ripped off even worse than I am. The municipal unions are politically connected and the most influential among them are the teachers and Police. They have use lies threats and extortion to gain salaries well in excess of $100,000.00 per year. When outrageous benefits and retirement packages are factored in. It becomes out and out theft of taxpayers money. In New York State we are in fact all renters. Fail to pay the Villages Towns and Counties and they have the Sheriff throw you out of the house and off the land.
I WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT ON THE TEACHERS UNION WHICH IS DRAINNG OUR STATE AND ROBBING OUR CHILDREN OF AN EDUCATION ESPECIALLY WHEN 70% OF THE BUDGET IS ON THE TEACHERS. I DON’T KEEP MY JOB IF I DON’T PERFORM MY DUTIES OR BE PUT IN A DIFFERENT POSITION SO I KEEP GETTING BENEFITS. NO ONE PAYS COMPLETELY FOR MY HEALTH INS. NO ONE ONE IN THE HEALTH POFFESS. KEEPS GETTING PAID WHEN THEY ARE GUILTY OF A FELONY OR PAID TIL THE COURT CASE IS SETTLED. HOW ABOUT UP IN NY CITY WHERE TEACHERS WHO DON’T PERFORM GO AND SIT IN A ROOM AND GET THEIR PAY AND BENEFITS- WAS A SPECIAL ON TV. ENOUGH!!!! SAVE OUR KIDS!!!!!!!!!
Thank you, Please continue to help us lower these taxes and curb this out of control political spending. My husband has his masters has always made pred club but Dec 2007 he was downsized he found a job making a third of what he made. We are still paying our bills and taxes. We do not carry debt so we are able to make it. We sold our home and bought a smaller one. WHY CAN’T NY DO THE SAME DOWNSIZE ! Sorry to see you go but God Bless you for helping us.
Kathy
Dear Mr. Golisano, (Tom)
Congratulations on having the mental clarity, understand of the economies of NYS and the resources to make this move. I believe most “risk taking, potential entrepreneural” citizens of NY would strongly agree with your view and choice. NYS is a great state with great people. Unfortunately, incentive to do business in NYS are grossly missing. Rather huge, often largely unnecessary barriers and voids exist, making starting or maintaining a business in NYS nearly impossible, or at the very least, greatly more costly. I know this personally. I have struggled for five years, investing my entire past and a large part of the future personal resouces to raise a viable business. Zip and lip service at best from government. There are many State agencies listed in pretty brochures, with offices located in more than modest facilities, directed by seemingly competent staff, with an organizational “Mission Statement” that asserts that they available to “help” new business. However, the reality is there is always a loophole or regulation that simply does not include assisting our [type-style-location-size] business. It is incomprehensible for me to hear time after time that there are no programs to assist your service business, “we only have assistance for manufacturing job creation.” My thinking, if I can create a new job, and a currently unemployed person now has a job, why should the government be limited in helping because I am not manufacturing a product? Bottom line is, the governmental structure to generate or maintain NY business looks good on paper, but as many of us know, the reality for real tangible assistance…..not a hand out or grant—viable assistance for business in NYS has to be politically connected or it does not materialize. Our governmental leaders should be on task developing procedures, programs, facilities and regulations for the small business risk taker. For BIG business they are often in the news, when the cameras are rolling as an already established large employer is considering moving into town. It is my belief that, a huge portion of our economic stagnation, as well as, inept ability to efficiently solve and resolve social issues IN A TIMELY MANNER is the allegence to a political party rather than to America. I believe, and hopefully will live long enough to see the day once again, where what is best for America will trump political allegence. I applaud your cause, your will and ability to lead by example. Thank you.
Respectfully, Don B.
When the going gets tough, Tom gets going! But I understand.
However I believe that you should have been more vocal in your opposition to what our elected officials are doing. If need be, they should have been “outed” for their fiscal incompetency. More radio talk shows, TV talk shows, newspaper interviews, and so on. Tour the state talking about how incompetent the legislature is. Challenging union leaders to debates and so on. You could have been a voice for the common New Yorker!
But the real problem lies with not the politicians, but with the idiots who year in and year out re-elect the same people to the same position.
Best of luck!
As an astute business person, TG should look at the quality of public education in Florida, the range and quality of services offered and the cost of maintaining aged infrastructure such as roads, water, sewer facilitiies.
To be fair, he should certainly look at both sides of the balance sheet and the value delivered for the money spent.
We all would be interested in seeing TG’s list of programs that TG would eliminate in order for NYS to reach the national average of cost per person.
Its often very easy to find fault and issues, but what are the options we should propose and work towards. Drastically cutting to save $$ could have unintended effects or impacts.
NYS citizens should petintion for a NYS Constitutional Convention NOW, and not wait until 2017. The way things are going, 2017 may be too late.
Why would anyone expect addicts to voluntarily subject themselves to withdrawal? Money, and the power to collect it, is addictive. Every bit as addictive as heroin. Every addict knows it won’t hurt to do it “just one more time”. And we all know how the scenario plays out: Nothing changes for an addict until they “hit bottom”.
Our state legislature is addicted. We are slowly heading for the bottom and they know it, but can’t stop themselves. The unions and other “pushers” provide the incentive to keep using our money. We all know who is responsibe, yet a majority of us continue to send the same cast of characters to Albany. With all addictions, the future is not pretty.
Tom Golisano has worked at this from every angle over the years with spotty success. Who can blame him for opting out of the cycle of tax-and-spend?
Tom,
I can’t blame you. I moved to Raleigh,N.C. twelve years ago for many of the same reasons. I, as you ,still have many friends and family in Rochester that are appreciative of what you have done and are doing. I miss the place, but it is not business friendly. I can no longer vote there but would be glad to help. Please let me know what I can do to stop the madness that is ruining New York.
Buzz
HI Tom,
I’m behind you 100%
Hi Mr. G,
Your a man of action and I admire that. I believe the only way things will change in this area is for the “actions speak louder than words” concept is applied. I come from a large and very close knit family. Unfortunately, every morning I wake up and realize my nightmare is a reality. My daughter and I could never be closer…in spirit anyway. She and her fiance had to move to Florida because of work and taxes, and although I would love to say …it’s time to come home Shar…I can’t. They have a good life that they can afford. They are going to start a family..It would be cruel and unfair to ask her to give that up. Why, because the politicians that have no guts…the unions that are bleeding us to death, all of the residents that have lost their jobs..their homes and in some cases, thier families…but by all means make sure the teachers get their raises!! Not to mention the fact that because of their “Living Contract” THEY ALREADY GOT THE ANNUAL 4% RAISE THAT THE PUBLIC DOESN’T KNOW ABOUT!!! If I sound a touch bitter, it’s because now my son and his wife and my grandson will be leaving. I wish I could state my case more eloquently with more fact and offer some really incredible insight..but I can’t. What I can do…is follow my family….Keep up the fignt, and Go with God
Tom
Thanks for your initiatives to change New York. I applaud your efforts and am willing to support you in this necessary cause.
Tom,
Our revolution was fought for far less than than the indignities and over taxation without representation we are forced to deal with. We have a governor who was not elected, a congresswoman who was not elected and Western NY isn’t represented at all because the NY City politicians are the only ones in the game. I am fed up with the property taxes. We don’t drive on streets paved with gold but we pay for them. Albany is ruining the entire state and it’s time it stopped.
Tom,
Don’t forget to wear sunscreen!!!
Please send your fellow New Yorkers the links of homes for sale in Florida. I’m also looking to fight the good fight.
Bravo Tom Golisano. Great movement and thanks for your efforts. We are definitely seeing the effects of mismanagement and corruption in all levels of government throughout New York State. It has to stop. And this a good start.
I applaud your very visible response to the irresponsible NY State Government. When another high profile individual said that they were pulling out of NY due to high taxes and harassment by the tax authorities when you do leave (Rush Limbaugh) the response by our governor was “If I had known that all I had to do to get Limbaugh to leave I would have raised the taxes earlier”. As a small business owner, I am taxed to death by both the state and the US government. I am looking to sell my company (to an out of state business) and then retire to a low tax state. People do vote with their feet and when I leave I will make sure that Gov. Patterson knows that I am one he and our Democrat legislators were able to drive out and that should just compound their pleasure of another taxpayer leaving.
Wishing you and yours the best in your smart move, I only wish that I could be doing the same but I have to many anchors at this time, maybe in a few years things will change and I will be able to spend the rest of my life fishing in the Gulf and not worrying about taxes.
Best Wishes, Martin Weezorak
Yesterday I sent a letter to the Democrat & Chronicle in reply to a Dansville woman who accuses Mr. Golisano of moving to FL in order to avoid paying his “fair share” of taxes. Who the heck does she think she is to judge what a fair share is? And does she give a thought (can’t, no brain there) about the benefits the state has enjoyed just for having TG here all these years? Must NYS follow California into bankruptcy before these liberals figure out what the realities are? Can’t, no brains there. Our problem is a grasping, ignorant electorate. What can we do about that?
It’s a shame. We have no voice. The union run the politicians and together they are running this state and country into the ground. We have NO voice. We are and will continue to be ignored. I ask one question: How much more do they think we can take?!
To Mr G best wishes to you & Your family, you will be sadly missed by most NY’ers especially those of us in Rochester. I Hope & pray that you don’t move your corp headquarters to FL.
I will do whatever it takes to change the most corrupt legislature in the country and get rid of the highest property taxes in the U.S.
Just let me know what you need me to do.
We are sorry to lose you but we understand, and we thank you, Tom, for all you did for our soon-to-open Golisano Children’s Hospital. What a blessing you were to our state, before the horrific taxes drove you away.
Tom,
Thank you for the hard work that you are doing and bringing people together for real change in New York. I have lived in this state since 1998 and find that poverty is pretty much a way of life around here in upstate New York. There is very little in the way of decent jobs. Albany refuses to listen to the fact. I have sent many an email to our unelected governor asking him to change course. To this date he has not bothered to respond to one email. I hope things change for the better next election, otherwise I will be voting with my feet.
Tom you are right, it’s sad to see NYS in such bad shape. I to plan on moving out as soon as my wife can retire. The cost of living in NYS just isn’t worth it. Are children will also be relocating. Lets all pray that OBAMA doesn’t destroy our country like California and NY.
Tom - I saw that someone wrote in to the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle that you “should pay your own share ! ” I almost laughed myself to death ! WAY TO GO TOM !! If our family wasn’t so tied to this beautiful Finger Lakes area, we’d be long gone by now.
Blaze…now you know how far back our relationship goes. it is only too bad that your drives to become Govenor of the state never grew to be.
I am sre if they did, NYS would not be in the sad state that they presently are in.
Njl
I live in Ohio and this was sent jointly by a retired physician and an active probate attorney in your home town - Rochester.
Ohio is not far behind you. Our Governor Strickland is beholden to several powerful voting blocs like Governor Paterson and the newly elected president. Many of us are amazed at how he has allowed spending to slip out of control, especiall at a time that our state has recently exceeded 10% unemployment and the prospects of bleak retail spending as former workers unemployment funding either runs out of money or expires.
We’re not far behind and no one here seems to realize what they are up against.
I MADE THIS SMART MOVE IN 2001. I AM A RESIDENT OF SARASOTA. I, MY WIFE AND MY WALLET LOVE IT. I HAVE SENT THIS EMAIL TO MY NY FRIENDS. THANKS!
PS I HAVE A SUMMER COTTAGE IN WILSON, NY AND THE PROPERTY TAXES ARE MUCH HIGHER THAN MY HOME IN FLORIDA.
I’m pretty sure that you have figured out how to spend “just ” enough time out of your home state, away from your grandchildren, to make it economically worthwhile! If the entire top 5% of NY’s taxpaying populace does as you do, then the poor nurse or school teacher in NY is going to pick up the tax burden where you left off. If you’re really serious, why don’t you sell your interests in NY state and never come back. This whole article is amazingly hypocritical!
Tom I give you an A- you forgot to mention how some city and state workers are allowed to work overtime as much as they want right before they retire to increase there retirement pay. Personally, I feel that their retirement pay should be based on base pay only!! Try that in the public sector, no company would survive.
Can anyone tell me why WNY electricity rate is higher that NYC’s rate? Yet we both receive power from the same source??
Why some state and federal workers are exempt from some state taxes?
Wasn’t welfare supposed to assist people who are down on their luck and really need assistance?
Hey NY State
Looking into welfare fraud, look into a pay freeze for all jobs, hey if the private sector is doing it so can you.(Without retro back pay). All state employees receive retirement pay based on base pay only.
Why should I work longer in my life to pay for NY State employees perks, while state workers hit 20 -30 years then they receive perks for the rest of their lives
Working sap that can’t move to Florida
Mike
Don’t leave us Tom we still need your support.
I am also thinking very much on leaving this tax ridden state. I am 60 years old and have lived here all my life and really hate to leave for these reasons,but being that my wife and I are bopth disable retired we can’t take all the high taxes and fees that this govenor and his two partners have come up with.I say this because it is my understanding that the rest of the legislature didn’t have much say in the process.Maybe I am wrong ,but when they are handed the budget the same day as the vote and are told to vote for it or else there is something deffinately wrong . And it seems to me that they don’t really want to change anything. So I thing my wife and I will be moving by the end of this year.
Dear Mr. Golisano…I wish you luck…and thank you for your leadership. I have a new grandbaby coming soon…I love my family…and have been a NY’er all my life. My husband keeps saying we’ll have to move because living in this welfare/tax burdened state will kill us financially. I don’t want to leave my family. It’s gotten so out of hand in NY. It’s taxation without representation. Everytime you turn around we continually are burdened with rediculous taxes. Our freedoms are being taken away from us left and right. Being a NY’er is like being in prison…can’t afford to do much of anything on a fixed income of retirement. Even the company my husband worked for, for 28 year’s, is going back on it’s word with health care etc. And, nothing is being done about it by our reps. We are supposed to be enjoying our Golden Year’s. Instead, it’s the “Worried Filled Year’s” being stripped of every penny you’ve earned from hard work. It continually makes me sick that our politician’s can come up with money wasting projects like the Fast Ferry and Ren Center in Rochester but who in their right mind would go into the crime ridden city. Clean up “Dodge” first. My kid’s struggle, too, here in Western NY. Jobs and companies are leaving because of the high price of doing business here. Our politician’s are killing our state and it’s people. Before we go broke we will probably have to leave, also. The only thing I do not agree with you in your letter is giving to the Clinton’s fund. Mrs. Clinton did nothing for our state…and I don’t feel Mr. Clinton is any better and a poor example to our younger generation. Other than that, you are right on with your comments. I’m glad you are continuing to fight for us in NY. I’m just sorry you didn’t continue your bid for Govenor. Good luck to you. Florida has gained a real asset to their state.
Tom Galisano speaks for me; my NYS state representatives certainly don’t. There are lots of solutions to the three problems: the NYS senate, NYS assembly, the governor, but how to get that addressed is another matter. Term limits either by changing the constitution or by a cooperative and concerted effort by voters to vote against one party each election or the vote out ALL incumbants each election. Those three governmental bodies are destroying the state.
HOPEFULLY WE CAN SOLVE THIS DEPLORABLE SITUATION, AS THERE ARE ENOUGH ECONOMIC PROBLEMS THAT OUR WORLD IS FACING NOW..
Why haven’t the Independence, Conservative and Working Family parties participated in this effort to reform. Are they all still tied to the major parties power centered demogoguery? When are the scandalous money an sex behaviours going to hit the fan? The leaders, especially in the Assembly, are still trying to avoid the ethics fallout by controlling appointments to Ethics Watchdogs. The people need independent watchdogs.
Freedom of Information laws will not keep the pols honest so long as there is no enforcment against denial of information and distorted gpvermment reporting.
Will we ever get the Education Establishment parasites off our back? Past time to revise the Taylor Law to give the taxpayers some control and put the litiginous mediators back in their boxes. They are driving us to the [poorhouse with their pension and health benefits free ride without making their own substantial contributions.
Will we ever get the Health Establishment to make policy decisions based on science rather than politics?
This is a great first step, but only a first step. Thank you Tom for being so persistant. The only way to get things done above special interest groups is to have a “special interest group” of the voters, and you are providing that opportunity for us the voters. We, like you, love New York. My wife and I were raised in the West, Idaho and Utah, but chose to live here and raise our family here. The Schools have been excellent and the area has been a good place to raise a family. We hope that we are not forced to move because of the ever increasing tax load, so keep up the good work, and we will continue to support you and all the others of Responsible NY
Thanks for caring to make NYS great once again. Much tax money is needlessly wasted on expenditures that do nothing for building our future. Government institutions have become so big that it seems we are on a crash course with no ability to change our path. You and your staff have my full support in your difficult quest.
Tom,
Glad to have an intelligent and successful businessman join the ranks of Floridians. Welcome and may all your reasons for moving prove viable and fruitful.
We touched base many years ago during the 92 revolution and the movement for independent parties and government reform.
Our office is not far from Naples and if possible, would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you again and discuss our mutual interests.
Very truly yours,
Ernie Bach
State Chairman: Independent Party of Florida
FlaIndyParty@aol.com
P.O. Box 100
Largo, FL 33779-0100
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