Assemblyman Joseph Angelino

ALBANY – Assemblyman Joseph Angelino (R,C,I-Norwich) is disappointed with the action taken by the Assembly Democratic Majority in the Ways and Means Committee to reject a bill that would have given veterans 85 years and older an exemption on their personal income taxes (PIT) (A.5033).

Their rejection of the bill in the committee prevents it from being voted on by the entire assembly this legislative session. It was only just recently that the Assembly Democratic Majority approved a $2.1 billion stimulus program for illegal immigrants, known as excluded workers, in the state budget (A.3009-C).

 

“It is pretty shameful that the Assembly Democratic Majority rejected a bill which would have helped our elderly veterans on fixed incomes make ends meet with a tax break. These are individuals who signed up during the era of the Korean and Vietnam wars not knowing the kind of conflict they would be assigned to,” said Angelino.

“The cost to provide such a modest tax break to these brave people is a drop in the bucket compared to the bloated $2.1 billion stimulus program for those who disregard our immigration laws. Despite this, I will be working to gain support for this important veterans’ bill so that we can accomplish something positive in the future.”

 

It is estimated that there are roughly 91,000 veterans in New York who are 85 years or older. The proposed PIT exemption would have provided an estimated $71 tax break to seniors, or more depending on income.

 

“New York is one of the most expensive states to retire in, we should be doing our best to make it more affordable for veterans and retirees,” added Angelino.

Angelino: NY mandates likely to harm struggling small businesses and private employers

 

Angelino also recently voted against legislation that would require private employers of all types to provide personal protection equipment and upgrade ventilation systems for buildings at great expense to the businesses (A.2681-B). The so-called “Hero’s Act” makes unfair presumptions that private employers are not keeping employees safe and dictates these mandates without providing any means of assistance to financially offset such a great cost. The bill also outlines heavy fines and penalties on employers for failure to comply.

 

“I am concerned that many of our small businesses and other employers are at the tipping point of what they can sustainably manage in New York. First, they contend with already existing burdensome regulations and taxes, and then they were forcibly shut down because of the pandemic. How can they endure yet another costly regulation at a time when the focus should be on economic recovery,” said Angelino. “Progressives will continue to use COVID-19 as an excuse to ram in more regulation, but we cannot allow that, or we risk our businesses shutting down or moving out of the state entirely.”

 

Angelino points out that the bill’s regulations would go in excess of the safety requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the state Department of Labor. Currently, the bill has been sent back to the Senate. Should it be passed, it would also require additional expenditure from the state in terms of staffing and bureaucracy to enforce the mandate. The assemblyman says the employers and the state just cannot afford such costly mandates.

- From the office of Assemblyman Joseph Angelino