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NY Daily News
Pataki won't budge on taxes, Bruno says

By JOE MAHONEY
DAILY NEWS ALBANY BUREAU CHIEF

ALBANY - A week before Gov. Pataki rolls out his $90 billion spending plan, advocates for social service and health care agencies held a rally to call for higher taxes.
The advocates asked the governor - who is pledged not to raise taxes - to consider an income tax surcharge on New Yorkers earning $100,000 or more a year, as well as an end to loopholes in corporate income tax.
The advocates contended that higher state taxes would be more affordable for the wealthy, who will be getting federal tax breaks.
While Pataki's office refused to comment, Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno (R-Rensselaer) rejected both ideas.
"That's not where we're going," he said. "Where my head and my heart is, and where I know the governor is, is we're not looking at new taxes. Taxes will be counterproductive. You can't tax your way out of a huge deficit back to prosperity. It's not going to happen."
He added he was confident Pataki would find "creative and imaginative" alternatives to higher taxes, offering as an example the governor's plan to bring in $4 billion by issuing tobacco settlement fund bonds.
As for the state's current allotment of $14 billion for public school aid, Bruno, who often sides with Pataki, said: "We have had four years in a row of record increases in education. It's time to catch our breath."
Assembly Democrats have promised to fight Pataki on any planned education funding cuts, plans to raise tuition at the City University and State University systems, and a proposal to raise subway fares.

Originally published on January 24, 2003