Interesting article on tax burden for homeowners in the area....... (property taxes, prices)

[jrice]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Park

This gambling fad -- as the situations in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Ohio are playing out -- is showing itself to be a zero-sum game. Sure, everyone loves a trip to Las Vegas every so often, but gaming elsewhere isn't that special, and revenues across the country are backing that assertion.

There are only so many gaming dollars to be spent; Sands in Bethlehem (PA) opens up and siphons off a chunk of Atlantic City's revenue. Next year the first casino will open in Philadelphia will open and Bethlehem will take a hit.

Expansion of slots seemed like a great idea when Las Vegas was raking in the money, but it was a short-sighted move by northeastern politicians. A lot of developers (and law firms) got wealthy in a hurry, but the states aren't better off now than they were a decade ago. Las Vegas is its own animal; other gaming locales will remain second-rate and be stuck fighting each other for smaller chunks of the same-sized pie.

Even not full fledged casinos, put video poker and slots in bars and gas stations. I know it would be different here, but I had a client in Vegas who owned a few gas stations that had machines in them, and he told me the only reason he had actual gas stations was for the machines. He said he made about 15K on average per location per week. Now, Syracuse is a far cry from that but can you imagine the revenue the state could generate from that?? Look at turning stone--they make a fortune. The state should build 2 casinos--1 downstate for NYC area and one here. They complain that TS is rolling in money and they cant collect tax on it, well build your own and end the debate. I am not taking huge MGM style casinos, something like the original turning stone. Perhaps a dozen card games, and 100 slots. Even if the numbers are no where near what VEgas does, and they wouldnt be, atleast its still a new revenue stream

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by jrice

Even not full fledged casinos, put video poker and slots in bars and gas stations. I know it would be different here, but I had a client in Vegas who owned a few gas stations that had machines in them, and he told me the only reason he had actual gas stations was for the machines. He said he made about 15K on average per location per week. Now, Syracuse is a far cry from that but can you imagine the revenue the state could generate from that?? Look at turning stone--they make a fortune. The state should build 2 casinos--1 downstate for NYC area and one here. They complain that TS is rolling in money and they cant collect tax on it, well build your own and end the debate. I am not taking huge MGM style casinos, something like the original turning stone. Perhaps a dozen card games, and 100 slots. Even if the numbers are no where near what VEgas does, and they wouldnt be, atleast its still a new revenue stream

I think Auburn was thinking of building a casino, but I'm not sure if it was going to be owned by the Cayugas or not.

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by acknight

Except, of course, that it actually does, there. Here, it goes into the general fund these days :/

Which I think is a reason why taxes are a bit high than they should be, but it isn't solely blamed on that.

[Wingfoot]

Originally Posted by schayban88

The thing is weather has very little to do with why people leave an area. The problem truly is the fact of job loss in New York State. Why is there jobs leaving the state? Not because of taxes but because of Unions. I can't stand Unions to tell you the truth. Unions think they are doing a good thing by helping the people out but in reality they make people lose their jobs. For example, Carrier, New Process Gear, Syracuse China, Honeywell, Crucibal is now being affected by it. Unfortunately, New York State has the biggest Union in the country.

BS, first class,
Unions could offer to work for 50% less and companies would still go to Mexico on their way to China,
Carrier said as much when they left.
Wall Street decided 50 years ago they would de-industrialize the USA and they have and will continue to do so.

The fools are those that blame the victims,one of the oldest games going,whose rules they never catch on to.

[thmitch79]

Paron me, but I need to vent. Lifetime resident from CNY, Herkimer County, and the wife and I are leaving as soon as we can. Outside of unions, weather and (IMHO) an inept state government, taxes are the most hurtfull legecy this state has. We have too many layers of government, Villages inside of Townships inside of Counties inside the State, then add 'authorities' that can place a 'fee' (re: tax) and on top of that, the school systems. Where I live, I pay for village police, town police, state police and the same is said for DPW at all levels and governing bodies.....you get the idea. Don't get me wrong, Upstate NY is one of the most beautiful areas in the world to live in and within a 5 hour drive I could be in Boston, Montreal, NYC or the Lakes. The Adirondack Park is a wonderful area to camp in and the weather isn't all that bad. I just can't afford to live here anymore and I make 60 to 70 k/yr, depending on the overtime. It just seems that every time I turn around, there is a problem and someone has to raise taxes. Yes, I've done my homework and researched areas to go to and I know I can retire cheaper than staying here. It's just a shame I have to.

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by thmitch79

Paron me, but I need to vent. Lifetime resident from CNY, Herkimer County, and the wife and I are leaving as soon as we can. Outside of unions, weather and (IMHO) an inept state government, taxes are the most hurtfull legecy this state has. We have too many layers of government, Villages inside of Townships inside of Counties inside the State, then add 'authorities' that can place a 'fee' (re: tax) and on top of that, the school systems. Where I live, I pay for village police, town police, state police and the same is said for DPW at all levels and governing bodies.....you get the idea. Don't get me wrong, Upstate NY is one of the most beautiful areas in the world to live in and within a 5 hour drive I could be in Boston, Montreal, NYC or the Lakes. The Adirondack Park is a wonderful area to camp in and the weather isn't all that bad. I just can't afford to live here anymore and I make 60 to 70 k/yr, depending on the overtime. It just seems that every time I turn around, there is a problem and someone has to raise taxes. Yes, I've done my homework and researched areas to go to and I know I can retire cheaper than staying here. It's just a shame I have to.

I think you touched on something a lot of people would like to see and that is consolidation. I think many people agree that there is too much overlapping of services in many places around the state.

I think your situation is different in that you are looking to retire versus someone still raising a family. I think that there are cheaper places that have cons too. I think it all comes down to what you are looking for and the timing of things in one's life too.

[boomvang]

My wife and I did retire here, and while the taxes do stink, we feel we get some value for them. Compared with our previous area, the parks, roads and general infrastructure here are superior. There is no free lunch anywhere. Other areas of the country may not have as high a property tax, but have other costs such as yearly vehicle use taxes and other "hidden" taxes. Don't get me wrong, I don't feel that the money we shell out every year is spent wisely, but I would rather be in a wonderful area like this than one that may be cheaper but not suit my lifestyle.

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by boomvang

My wife and I did retire here, and while the taxes do stink, we feel we get some value for them. Compared with our previous area, the parks, roads and general infrastructure here are superior. There is no free lunch anywhere. Other areas of the country may not have as high a property tax, but have other costs such as yearly vehicle use taxes and other "hidden" taxes. Don't get me wrong, I don't feel that the money we shell out every year is spent wisely, but I would rather be in a wonderful area like this than one that may be cheaper but not suit my lifestyle.

What you just said is something that has been echoed by others that have lived in other parts of the country and realized that states have to get their money from somewhere. While many people agree that there needs to be some changes, people after living in other places, realize that things aren't as bad here as they thought.

[johnny99]

No they are that bad in CNY...the insane property taxes and lack of jobs will keep the area undesirable. Any place that is excited by some two bit Indian car company coming in to save the economy needs a reality check. I wonder what ever happened to the carousel mall or countless other projects that never happened?? Oh yeah add in sickly high gas prices and high heating costs. Rust belt sums it up.

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by johnny99

No they are that bad in CNY...the insane property taxes and lack of jobs will keep the area undesirable. Any place that is excited by some two bit Indian car company coming in to save the economy needs a reality check. I wonder what ever happened to the carousel mall or countless other projects that never happened?? Oh yeah add in sickly high gas prices and high heating costs. Rust belt sums it up.

Who said that REVA would "save" the economy? Actually, there are other things going on that will help improve the economy.

Also, I wish people would realize that the home prices being affordable offsets the tax burden. So, that needs to be put into perspective too.