Sunday, April 10, 2016

HERFE & THERE COLUMN


     Why We Are Losing Population?

   What are the reasons making Sullivan County residents flee to other states or countries?
  It is not good news to hear and read that Sullivan County sustained the biggest population loss of any county in the state between July 1, 2014 and July 1, 2015.
  The U.S. Census Bureau released figures show Sullivan County population dropping 1.18 percent to 74, 877 which is a continuing trend of lost population going back to the 2010 Census.
  The county loss about 2,700 people from 2010 to 2015.
  Joe Czajka, senior vice president of Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress is quoted as saying that the reason folks are bailing out of Sullivan County  is, "a lack of high-paying jobs and taxes keep going up," so "it gets to the point where people can't afford housing anymore."
  And now comes the report that more school districts are considering an override of the property-tax-cap in May.
  Many folks we talk to are also talking about the New York State television advertising campaign which touts New York State as thrifty for business and has lower taxes but doesn't tell taxpayers that this adverting is costing $161 million for the four years ending March 31, 2015. It this adverting an attempt to distort the real facts?
  If the lower taxes statement were true then why do we hear every day that taxes are just too high making it much more difficult for families and individuals to make ends meet.
  There just is not enough true effort for our politicians to work for a broad-based tax cut for all New Yorkers.
  Things we would like to see would be cutting the Middle Class tax rates to a lower level, give more financial security to New York's seniors, increase small business income tax exemptions, fully eliminate the Energy Tax Surcharge and make it easier for family farms and small businesses to be handed down to the next generation.
  There is a strong need to put more money back into the wallets of hardworking taxpayers and to make this state a more affordable place to live and work.
  Sullivan County is also being pressed to build a new jail (which we know is badly needed) but in all honesty can taxpayers afford it?
  There are also major concerns that there is just too much government in Sullivan County counting all the villages, towns and school districts with politicians never considering consolidation and cost cutting measures.

                                                               
 

 

 


    

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