Taxed to Death: Democrats Are Bleeding New York Dry

A Column from the Desk of Assemblyman David DiPietro (R,C-East Aurora)

Working-class New Yorkers are fed up, and so am I. New Yorkers are being taxed to death, and the Democrats in Albany don’t care. They’ve turned our state into a piggy bank for their progressive pet projects while hard-working families and businesses foot the bill. It’s a disgrace. 

Our state budget has ballooned to a record-breaking quarter-trillion dollars—a progressive spending spree that’s twice the size of Florida’s budget and more than Texas and Florida combined. Yet, what do we get for it? Not better roads, safer streets or a stronger economy. No, the Democrats are funneling our hard-earned dollars into their culture war nonsense—endless social programs, climate initiatives and giveaways that do nothing for the average New Yorker. Meanwhile, our taxes keep climbing and families are struggling to make ends meet. 

New York has some of the highest taxes in the nation. Property taxes are crushing homeowners; income taxes are driving high earners away; and businesses are suffocating under burdensome regulations and fees. The Democrats claim it’s for the “greater good,” but their policies are anything but good. They’re funding their radical agenda while neglecting the real needs of our communities. And let’s not forget—this budget is late, again. Despite unilateral power, Albany’s Democrat Majority can’t even get their act together to pass a budget on time, yet they have no problem spending your money on their priorities. 

New Yorkers are fleeing in droves. We’re losing population faster than almost any other state because people can’t afford to stay. Families, retirees and businesses are packing up for states like Florida and Texas, where taxes are lower and governments aren’t obsessed with progressive experiments. Here in New York, the Democrats’ policies are driving us into the ground. Their tax-and-spend addiction isn’t sustainable, and it’s breaking the backs of hard-working citizens. 

I’ve had enough of watching my constituents suffer while Albany’s Democrat leaders pat themselves on the back for their “progress.” We need real change—lower taxes, fiscal responsibility and a government that prioritizes New Yorkers, not progressive causes. If the Democrats keep this up, there won’t be anyone left to tax. It’s time for them to stop their reckless spending and start listening to the people they claim to represent. New York deserves better. We deserve better. 

Assemblyman David DiPietro represents the 147th Assembly District, which includes parts of Erie and Wyoming counties.