Assemblyman Ramos will stand up to the governor’s wrong choices

Dear friend,

The governor touted that one of his themes for this budget year was helping New Yorkers realize independence.

Let’s be realistic. Individual independence and economic freedom cannot exist where there are no jobs...where the education system is under funded...where families have to choose between health care, heating their homes and worry about consistent skyrocketing property taxes.

Individual independence and economic freedom cannot take hold where there is insufficient child care, insufficient public transportation, and unaffordable health insurance.

This disconnect between the governor’s administration and the real world New Yorkers are living in is exemplified by the recent news in a Long Island Index Report that over half of Long Islanders are seriously considering moving in the next five years.

We were elected to lead this state toward a better future. Let’s do the job RIGHT - and pass a budget that’s good for working families.

Sincerely,

Philip Ramos
Member of Assembly

The rich get richer while working families continue to bear the burden

The governor boasts that his budget provides our families with tax relief, but the fine print reveals a different story. Perhaps the New York Daily News said it best: "Governor Pataki has proposed a tax-cutting plan that betrays working families and middle-class New Yorkers while favoring the well-to-do and even the ultra-wealthy."

	His budget reinstates the state sales tax on clothing and footwear under $110
	His budget makes getting a college education more expensive, increasing tuition at SUNY and shortchanging SCCC $2.5 million
	Instead of helping struggling working families, the governor proposed eliminating the state’s portion of the estate tax, applied to those estates worth more than $1 million, or only the 200 richest families in the state

According to the Daily News, under the governor’s proposal a married couple with two children making $50,000 a year would get a 2 percent tax cut-about $24 a year.

A married couple with two children earning $120,000 a year would get a 9 percent tax break-worth $578 annually.

	His budget reinstates the state sales tax on clothing and footwear under $110
	His budget makes getting a college education more expensive, increasing tuition at SUNY and shortchanging SCCC $2.5 million
	Instead of helping struggling working families, the governor proposed eliminating the state’s portion of the estate tax, applied to those estates worth more than $1 million, or only the 200 richest families in the state

Governor’s budget puts quality, affordable health care at risk

The governor’s budget cuts health care funding in Suffolk County by over $8 million-harming the quality health care our loved ones count on, and potentially forcing massive job losses. In fact, local hospitals stand to lose:

Southside Hospital would lose $1.3 million
Good Samaritan Hospital would lose $688,000
St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center would lose $538,000

Other bad breaks for health care in the governor’s budget include:

	Nursing homes would pay a 6 percent sick tax permanently
	Low-income seniors would be forced out of the Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage Program’s low-cost prescription drug coverage (EPIC)
	Family Health Plus recipients would pay higher co-pays from $3 to $25

Assemblyman Ramos knows health care is important. We can’t have a state budget that drains money from hospitals while raising costs for nursing homes, pharmacies, and working families. Ramos will fight for a budget that protects our health care system-and our families’ well being.

Did you know?

The VITA program offers free tax help to low and moderate-income people who cannot prepare their own tax returns.
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) form can be complex and confusing for many tax filers.

You can visit a local VITA site at:

Suffolk County One-Stop Employment Center
725 Veterans Memorial Highway
Hauppauge, New York
Monday-Friday, by appointment only

Spanish speaking applicants are welcome. Call 853-6652 to schedule an appointment.

Assemblyman Ramos fought for an additional $3 million for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). Call the New York State HEAP hotline at (800) 342-3009 or Suffolk County Social Services Office at 854-9935 to see if you are eligible for assistance.

Assemblyman Ramos will fight for a budget that delivers tax relief to working families. He will work to eliminate the marriage penalty and make a cost of living adjustment for STAR.

Assemblyman Philip Ramos
1010 Suffolk Avenue
Brentwood, NY 11717
(631) 435-3214
ramosp@assembly.state.ny.us

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