New York State sees a glimmer of hope. President Obama, urges Governor Paterson not to run for a second term.

Anyone from New York is aware of the ongoing budgetary crisis, the looming tax situation and recent 27% tariffs levied on Beer and Wine sales in the State of New York which are buttoning up bars and restaurants as quickly as the smoking ban which hit the state in late 2003 and early 2004.

And anyone who follows politics is aware that there was already no love lost between President Obama and Governor Patterson due to the latter’s appointment of Kristen Gillibrand to Hillary Clinton’s former Senate seat rather than Obama supporter Caroline Kennedy. This was also not a big win with New York voters.

Governor Patterson took over for the embarrassed, Prostitute enthusiast, Elliot Spitzer in March 2008 after Spitzer was busted in conjunction with a statewide prostitution ring.

Since then Paterson, who has proven himself far too inexperienced for the job, has made one poor decision after another. In his first day in office he called for an “end to dysfunction in Albany.” He should have tendered his resignation that day and saved New York voters a lot of headaches and aggravation.

Patterson rushed his budget through the state senate which was spoon fed to the voters as a way to close the billions of dollars in budget gaps. The budget which was ultimately passed increased New York’s deficit by $1.4 billion in as little as ninety days.

In Patterson’s 2009 Budget he was able to close the budget to nearly 4.9 billion dollars at the expense of small business owners and higher taxes for the middle class. He also levied a 27% tariff on all alcohol and wine sales inside New York. The rising costs are causing consumers to spend less time at local watering holes and restaurants causing many to either cut staff or close all together.

The 2010 Budget is a mess as well. New Yorkers face a budget deficit of $15.1 million dollars and a state debt of $55 million. This is how Patterson proposes closing the gap:

 An "Obesity tax", which would add an extra tax of over 18% on all non diet soft drinks such as regular soda, and energy drinks (a tax for being fat)
 New 4% Taxes on digital music downloads, videos and pictures downloaded or the "I-tax"
 A tax increase on malt-flavored beverages, beer, and wine (a tax for drinking your NYS blues away)
 A 4% tax on taxi rides, car rentals and limousine services
 A tax on movie tickets (as if they aren’t expensive enough)
 A new 4% 'personal services tax' on haircuts, beauty salons, health club services, and weight loss programs (so now we tax people for trying NOT to be fat)
 A 4% tax placed on cable and satellite TV, pay per view movies
 Additional fees for fishing, and camping
 New fees on items ranging from boilers, to explosives, to jewelry, to sporting events
 A 4 percent sales tax on clothing and shoes under $500, except for two weeks out of the year
 Additional fees on automobile purchases, registration and driving fees.
 The Ravitch Commission recommendations, which include tolls on the city-owned East River and Harlem River bridges (which has never been done before), and levy an annual driver's tax based on vehicle weight

But what kills me is, once again tax payers suffer the brunt. I don’t see any pay cuts for State employees or elected officials. Benefit reductions for elected officials as us poor “peons” face skyrocketing and historically high health care costs. The rich get richer and fatter while we pick up the tab.

President Obama’s main concern is Patterson’s dwindling poll numbers which reflect poorly on the Democrats. This is fine by me, as it means we get one more Albatross out from around our necks, even if that wasn’t the intent.

Now if we could just find someone to run against Byron Brown… Is it too late for Mickey Kearns to file as an independent?

Until next time Buffalo… Don’t drink anything I wouldn’t…

Mac The Bartender