Letter: Story about state’s tax hike was incomplete

Tuesday, May 18, 2004 | 9:25 a.m.

The Sun published two articles May 9 on the subject of taxes. They state, in many thousands of words, that the increase in income that the state will experience from the "record state tax hike" of 2003 will be more than $1 billion! They go on to describe how there has been no apparent impact on the economy, or employment or new or existing businesses in the state. Conclusion: no harm done!

There is, however, no mention made in either of the articles that any thought has been given, or any effort made, to question the extent of the impact of these new taxes on the residents of the state. It is reported that the state budget for this fiscal year is $5.9 billion, and for next fiscal year it will be $6.2 billion. Given the state population of just over 2 million people, the budget for this fiscal year represents about $3,600 spent for every man, woman and child in the state.

Certainly it would not be difficult at all to find a large number of residents of the state whose quality of life has been dramatically affected by the "record state tax hike." In many cases, I am certain, the tax hike took every dollar of that tax cut, and more, from low-income individuals, retirees and families.

It would be only balanced reporting by the Sun to tell us all of the story!

STANLEY SZUMANSKI

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