Albany’s New Tax System Options Aren’t Taxpayer Protection, They’re Taxpayer Assault

Reclaim New York Initiative offered the following statement today on the new tax system options included in the Department of Taxation and Finance’s “Preliminary Report on the Federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act”: “After a month of Albany melting down over federal tax reform, this is what we get? This is a list of risky proposals that […]

De Blasio’s Divestment Scheme Advances Radical Political Agenda, Risking Tax Dollars, Pensions

Reclaim New York Initiative offered the following response to the Mayor’s, and City Comptroller’s announcement that New York City would pursue divesting the public pension funds from oil and gas company investments:  “This isn’t about climate change or blunting the influence of energy companies. It’s about national politics. The Mayor’s willingness to risk taxpayer dollars and worker […]

Senate ‘Affordability Agenda’ Features Good Steps, But More Reform Needed

Reclaim New York Initiative provided the following statement on the Senate majority’s “Affordability Agenda”: “The Senate Majority is focused on the right problem. New Yorkers are being driven out by an affordability crisis fueled by some of the worst tax-and-spend policies in the country. “The Senate deserves credit for taking the lead on urgently needed […]

Reclaim Initiative Slams Dangerous Scheduling Rules for Biz that Completely Ignore Reality

Reclaim New York Initiative submitted comments to the New York State Department of Labor opposing proposed predictive, or “on call,” scheduling regulations. Executive Director Brandon Muir offered the following statement: “These rules blatantly ignore reality. They will punish New York businesses for failing to do the impossible: predict the future. “This is gross overreach that […]

State of the State: Cuomo Just Doesn’t Get It, His Fantasy Agenda Is Unaffordable

Reclaim New York Initiative Executive Director Brandon Muir offered the following response to Governor Cuomo’s 2018 State of the State address: “The Governor just doesn’t get it. People cannot afford New York. Nothing he said today will change that, in fact his agenda would make it worse. “After overseeing seven years of Albany’s culture of […]

Reclaim New York Initiative Cheers Signing of Bill Strengthening Access to Public Records

Reclaim New York Initiative executive director Brandon Muir offered the following statement on the Governor’s signing of legislation into law that requires legal fees be reimbursed when plaintiffs “substantially prevail” in lawsuits over wrongful denial of Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests: “This is a big win for citizen-driven transparency, and the fight against public […]

Hempstead Town Council’s Passage of Shameless Personnel Moves Attacks Democratic Process, Taxpayers, Ethical Govt.

Reclaim New York Initiative statement on the Hempstead Town Council’s passage of the Town Supervisor’s personnel move that would give raises, move, and otherwise payoff and protect select town employees: “This move is an absolute disgrace. It’s a shameless attack on the democratic process, hard-working people, and the principles of open government. “Way to slap […]

Statement on FBI Investigation into Governor Cuomo’s Administration

Reclaim New York Initiative executive director Brandon Muir offered the following statement on the news that the FBI is investigating the Governor’s office’s practices related to hiring:  “While there is clearly more information to come out, it is equally clear that Albany’s sleight of hand with taxpayer money and culture of corruption warrant this increased […]

NIFA’s First Budget Should be the Last from Nassau’s Era of Dumpster Fire Finances & Fees

Reclaim New York Initiative Long Island Regional Director Michael Watt provided the following statement on the Nassau Interim Finance Authority’s passage of a budget for Nassau County: “After years of failed leadership in Nassau County there’s little choice left but for the state’s budget babysitter to do the legislator’s job for them. “The final budget shows reasonable cuts can […]

State Supreme Court Declares Revenue-Raising Fees Unconstitutional

Reclaim New York Initiative offered the following statement on a New York State Supreme Court decision that declared the use of excessive fees to raise revenue for general fund expenditures unconstitutional (Coma Realty Corp. v. James E. David, Acting County Assessor of Nassau County, the County of Nassau, and the Nassau County Legislature): “This is […]