WTNH News Channel 8 / News / 1999

	Rowland urges Pataki veto of Commuter Tax Bill (New Haven-WTNH) _ Lawsuits may fly in Connecticut if New York cuts a commuter tax for its own residents but keeps the ride costly for Connecticut and New Jersey residents. The New York state legislature has repealed the city's tax on New York state commuters. Governor George Pataki has promised to sign the tax cut. News Channel 8's Judy Chong reports. A lot of Connecticut residents pay this commuter tax. It's a tax on those who live in the suburbs but work in the big apple, and it has been around for 33 years. Normally, people love the idea of a tax cut, but certainly not this one. The feeling is unanimous that it's unfair Connecticut residents don't get a commuter tax cut like their New York neighbors. It would save the average commuter $350 a year. Glenn Young, Commuter: "We should all be a part of the tax cut because we as working people also spend money and pay taxes." Lauren Minichino, Commuter: "It's really expensive to commute to New York if you live in Connecticut or New Jersey. It'd be a nice thing for commuters." NY state legislators pushed through the measure without a study and without public hearings. Critics are calling the tax cut an election year gambit to attract suburban New York voters. The threat of lawsuits have already begun. Governor John Rowland says he'll try the diplomatic approach first to convince the powers that be in Albany that this tax cut is a bad idea. Gov. John Rowland: "A lot of it is politically motivated and not well thought out, and I believe unconstitutional. I'm going to encourage the governor not to sign the bill to avoid lawsuits and to avoid the unrest that's going to take place between the three states." If the gentle prodding doesn't work then Connecticut residents agree it's time to get tough with court action. Bill Ruskin, Commuter: "I commute from Riverside. Why should I have to pay when my colleagues across the border in Rye and Scardale be exempted from the tax?" Attorney general Richard Blumenthal calls the repeal of the commuter tax discriminatory. He promises to take immediate action if Governor Pataki signs this bill. Blumenthal is also encouraging residents to initiate their own legal action. Today's News Page. WTNH Home Page. ©1999 WTNH/WTNH-DT A LIN station.

Rowland urges Pataki veto of Commuter Tax Bill
(New Haven-WTNH) _ Lawsuits may fly in Connecticut if New York cuts a commuter tax for its own residents but keeps the ride costly for Connecticut and New Jersey residents. The New York state legislature has repealed the city's tax on New York state commuters. Governor George Pataki has promised to sign the tax cut.
News Channel 8's Judy Chong reports.

A lot of Connecticut residents pay this commuter tax. It's a tax on those who live in the suburbs but work in the big apple, and it has been around for 33 years. Normally, people love the idea of a tax cut, but certainly not this one.

The feeling is unanimous that it's unfair Connecticut residents don't get a commuter tax cut like their New York neighbors. It would save the average commuter $350 a year.

Glenn Young, Commuter: "We should all be a part of the tax cut because we as working people also spend money and pay taxes."

Lauren Minichino, Commuter: "It's really expensive to commute to New York if you live in Connecticut or New Jersey. It'd be a nice thing for commuters."

NY state legislators pushed through the measure without a study and without public hearings. Critics are calling the tax cut an election year gambit to attract suburban New York voters.

The threat of lawsuits have already begun. Governor John Rowland says he'll try the diplomatic approach first to convince the powers that be in Albany that this tax cut is a bad idea.

Gov. John Rowland: "A lot of it is politically motivated and not well thought out, and I believe unconstitutional. I'm going to encourage the governor not to sign the bill to avoid lawsuits and to avoid the unrest that's going to take place between the three states."

If the gentle prodding doesn't work then Connecticut residents agree it's time to get tough with court action.

Bill Ruskin, Commuter: "I commute from Riverside. Why should I have to pay when my colleagues across the border in Rye and Scardale be exempted from the tax?"

Attorney general Richard Blumenthal calls the repeal of the commuter tax discriminatory. He promises to take immediate action if Governor Pataki signs this bill. Blumenthal is also encouraging residents to initiate their own legal action.

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