ALBANY – Gov. Pataki vowed yesterday that, despite the state’s looming $6 billion budget gap, he will “absolutely not” propose any new taxes in the budget plan he submits to the Legislature next month.
Pataki, who proposed more than $1 billion in new taxes and fees earlier this year only to have the Legislature triple it, was unequivocal when asked if he would seek to raise taxes again.
“Our tax burden is too high and I think it was a mistake to raise taxes last year,” said Pataki, referring to the lawmakers’ spring decision to impose, over the governor’s vetoes, more than $3 billion in increased sales and income taxes.
Pataki did not say how he would propose closing the looming budget deficit, but experts here expect him to use such traditional methods as cutting and deferring spending, state worker layoffs and borrowing. Pataki’s no-new-taxes pledge came a few weeks after Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno (R-Rensselaer) and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) – whose members will all face the voters next year – vowed not to seek tax hikes in 2004.
“He followed me and Joe,” quipped Silver after Pataki’s announcement.
Pataki will submit his proposed 2004-2005 budget, for the fiscal year beginning April 1, to the Legislature in mid-January.