Taxing the top one percent has been a hot topic for the Democratic Party recently. Governor Andrew Cuomo is expected to address that and more during today's State of the State and Executive Budget Address.
State Senator Tim Kennedy said the middle class will get some tax relief. He said he also wants the state's wealthier citizens to be taxed higher.
"We have restored, over the course of the last several years, a more equitable tax structure in New York State that says those individuals that make more money should pay more in taxes,” said Kennedy. “If you make over a million dollars or more per year, if you're in that top one percent than you should pay a little bit more money. If you're in the middle class, then you actually get a tax break."
Kennedy said the distribution of the tax code has been made more fair and equitable over the last several years to ensure that the amount the middle class has to pay is decreased.
Kennedy said Cuomo does not want the details of his tax plan to be made public yet. He added the recently introduced property tax cap has been well received by residents of New York State.
For those questioning the education in Buffalo schools, Kennedy said they, too, will soon get answers. He said Cuomo is expected to discuss the lack of funding for public education during Wednesday’s address.
Kennedy said Albany has been playing roulette with school funding in recent years, and he believes Buffalo schools need to be funded at an appropriate level.
"We have not funded public education to the level that it needs to be funded and that needs to change,” said Kennedy. “We are going to be fighting for more funding for public education across New York State, especially in upstate cities like Buffalo and in the suburban districts as well."
Kennedy says he is glad the massive rollout of funding for Downstate New York will finally reach upstate schools.