Some central New York Republicans are split on the results of this year’s state budget, which passed the legislature Monday.
Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon said he appreciates that Aid and Incentives for Municipalities or AIM funding was restored for towns and villages, after Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposed cuts. But McMahon said he is disappointed the funds come out of the county's share of Internet sales tax revenue.
"When you look at the precedent that’s been set, that your local sales tax dollars can be appropriated, for even a small bit, to something else other than a local decision, that’s a precedent that we’re uncomfortable with,” McMahon said.
But McMahon said he is pleased with the two percent per year property tax cap being made permanent and the state’s commitment to infrastructure funding for clean water and waste water. He said there is no decision yet on whether the county should opt-in to a 5 cents-per-bag fee on paper bags, after the state banned single-use plastic bags.
Onondaga County Republican Chairman Tom Dadey said this year’s state budget is not good for families, tax payers and businesses upstate.
“Unfortunatley, because the taxes, the spending, the regulation that’s gone on, that’s emanating out of Albany, because of that, we continue to see the population drain continue in the wrong direction,” Dadey said.
Syracuse-area Republican State Sen. Bob Antonacci has also been critical of the budget and voted against it. In a statement, Antonacci said the budget imposes new taxes on Internet purchases, rental cars, real estate transactions, and grocery bags and does very little to help upstate.
