Taxpayers stage a revolt against state leaders who are considering a series of taxes to dig New York out of the red.
With the state budget due in just a few days, some taxpayers are speaking out now, and loudly. Over 300 people showed up to the downtown waterfront to protest high taxes and what they're calling failed government. And they took a page from history in staging a tea party, complete with colonists and decrees of "No Taxation Without Representation." No, this isn't a re-enactment of the Boston Tea Party of 1773. This is a real-life revolt by local taxpayers who chose the Buffalo waterfront as the backdrop for their message. "I don't know about you, but I didn't cause this deficit. And you didn't either!" declared Ellie Corcoran to the crowd assembled.
They want elected officials to know that they're not going to pay for the state's fiscal mess. "I'm tired of our state and our country just spending willy-nilly and putting it all on the backs of us taxpayers," said Corrine Renault, of Fairport, NY.
"Every time there's a problem, they raise taxes, spend money to fix it. Raise taxes, spend money to fix it," said Neil Gow, of Appleton, NY.
With the budget due on April 1, there are many areas where the state could begin taxing, or could raise taxes. Everything from recreational activities to salon services, movies, even music downloads are on the table. Lawmakers have also been considering changing the state's wine retail law to expand wine sales to supermarkets. "We have a lot of independently owned stores that sell wine and alcohol. To allow this would result in the shutting down of many businesses," said State Senator Mike Ranzenhofer,
These taxpayers say enough is enough. "Cut the taxes, make New York more attractive to businesses so they'll come back again," said Gow.
They intend to continue their tax revolt until their voices are heard. "We are going to take things into our own hands, peacefully, legally, and we're going to start taking the power back from politicians and change this area and this country," said protest organizer Jim Ostrowski.
The group plans to distribute flyers next week door to door. They plan to hold another rally on April 18.
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