Harckham’s budget claims called Orwellian

Dear Editor,

"Our new state budget will save residents money," (June 18, Page 27) by Sen. Pete Harckham is in many aspects a misleading propaganda document.

The budget, which increased by about $14.2 billion from the previous year's budget, is bloated and will ultimately be very costly for the taxpayers.

It is George Orwell speak to suggest that increasing spending will lead to more affordability for the taxpayer.

While it is true that school taxes may not increase while the increased funding comes from the state budget, where do the state funds come from? They come from the taxpayer! Overall, the total taxes paid by the taxpayer will increase through increases in income taxes and/or city/county/town/village taxes paid.

Sen. Harckham discussed how to lower utility costs, but he and former Gov. Cuomo initiated, supported and ultimately shut down Indian Point without a viable plan to immediately replace the lost energy, and caused the local school district to lose funding. This loss in school district funding has necessitated that the state step in and supplement funding to the school district.

Senator Harckham’s statement, “While balancing the needs of 213 legislators…” is quite telling. The needs of the 213 legislators is different than the needs of the taxpayers and what the taxpayers can reasonably be expected to pay.

Utility costs have risen significantly since the loss of energy due to the closing of Indian Point without first having in place an affordable replacement source for the lost energy. Your utility bill has a charge labeled SBC or System Benefits Charge. This is a state mandated charge (tax) to support an Albany (Democrat) controlled “slush fund.” The legislature, controlled by the Democrats could, if they so wanted, lower energy bills and make them more affordable by eliminating the SBC and eliminating the sales tax on energy.

-Jay Kopstein, Yorktown Heights