a billion 7 in fee increases… I’m not really sure if that means $1 Billion, 700 Million or not. You can say till the cows come home that he did not raise taxes, but what is a FEE? A fee is a tax just a dedicated use tax like a toll, license, title fee, etc…. I don’t know who he is trying to impress but it is not us.

“The overburdened taxpayer wants relief. The governor doesn’t address that. The governor adds a billion 7 in fee increases, loophole closers.”

Gov. Spitzer Unveils $124.3 Billion 2008-09 Budget

On a day when the stock market takes a dive and there’s fear of recession - Governor Spitzer lays out his economic plan for New York.

The future of New York’s economy was a key part of the governor’s State of the State address earlier this month.

Now he’s telling us how he’s going to pay for it. (HE is Paying for it? No, WE are…as always, WE PAY.)

The budget proposal totals $124.3 billion, which includes a 5% increase in total spending.

Part of the plan includes the largest ever increase in education spending, increases in the Enhanced STAR tax relief program for seniors, but a one year delay in that increase for middle class homeowners.

It also calls for cost-cutting measures like closing underused state facilities to add revenues.

There are a lot of elements in the budget that could prove to be stumbling blocks. Critics say it could be tough to pay for it all.

Gov. Eliot Spitzer: “I don’t think that anyone can doubt this is a time of economic turmoil and economic uncertainty.”

Acknowledging the pink elephant in the room, Governor Spitzer then outlined his $124.3 billion spending plan for 2008-2009.

It is a plan that calls for making up a nearly $5 billion deficit through government efficiency, holding off on some STAR rebate increases for a year, and working new revenue streams.

Gov. Spitzer: “If we’re going to move forward with meaningful discourse, we all have to participate in making those tough choices. It is simply not as useful to recommend big spending increases without coming up with revenue sources or likewise, substituting one for the other.”

That discourse will include finding agreements on $21 billion in school aid, the most the state has ever given out, reforming health care, revitalizing the upstate economy, capping property taxes, and holding the line on government spending, which the governor is setting at around 5%.

Reaction from the leaders of the Legislature came down right as expected. Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno saying the governor missed the boat on the real priorities of New Yorkers, and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver saying that he pretty much agrees with what the governor offered in his spending plan.”

Sen. Joseph Bruno/R-Majority Leader: “The overburdened taxpayer wants relief. The governor doesn’t address that. The governor adds a billion 7 in fee increases, loophole closers.”

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