Putting NY on a clear path to fiscal stablility

In order to put New York on a clear path toward fiscal stability and ease the burden of high property taxes on Long Islanders, Assemblyman Bob Barra suggests freezing school taxes for three years, implementing a flat federal tax, and keeping a closer eye on cash businesses.

Barra said state government officials need to focus on job creation and comprehensive property tax reform, especially on Long Island, to "mitigate the damage done in 2009," — referring to the state's unfunded mandates in addition to wasteful spending. "There needs to be a 'son of STAR' program," Barra said. "People need a three-year freeze on school taxes and mandate relief is essential."

Barra said that to help reduce the financial tax burden on Long Islanders, everyone has to share in the pain, including schools. He noted that even though property and school taxes are high, it's hard to say no to the education of future generations. "It's a vicious cycle," Barra said. "We want our kids to compete, but we need to balance that with the needs of the community."

A roadblock to a three-year freeze on school taxes, Barra said, is the friction it could create between government officials and school districts. The government does not want to go to war with the school boards, he said, but now isn't the time to resist change. Though there are some negatives that come with freezing school taxes — like larger classes and halts to capitol projects — he said, it could reap some positive benefits. "This can work," Barra said, "but everyone must share in the pain a little bit."

Barra also proposed initiating an 18 percent flat federal tax without deductions. By implementing that, he said, there would be fewer loopholes to cheat the system and it would be fair to all tax payers, whether they made $25,000 a year or $25 million.

He noted that some "progressives" believe that those who earn more should pay more in taxes, but it doesn't necessarily work out that way. "The rich will go offshore with their money," he said. "The average guy then gets stuck paying. Going after the rich sounds good in theory, but it all comes back to the middle class."