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The OP asked a reasonable question, "why are taxes so high," and didn't get an answer. There are many reasons for this problem, and answering your question in full is a topic worthy of a doctoral thesis. I'll start with the beginning.
<BEGIN HISTORY LESSON>
The problem began after WWII when servicemen and women were returning from the front and needed affordable housing. Developers like Levitt accommodated them by building LI starter homes that were affordable for this new middle class. Everyone in those days wanted a home with a lawn and room for their growing families.
As people moved east, multiple townships, villages and school district were established because everyone wanted to do things their way. Everyone wanted to have autonomy, unlike the way things are in NYC where services were combined.
Once these multiple civil service entities and their bureaucrats became established, the cost of providing services became more expensive. Fiefdoms and territory are things to be protected once they're entrenched, and we're still stuck with them because they refuse to consolidate.
</END HISTORY LESSON>
That's an opener. Someone else will have to continue this tale.
The idea that taxes are high because NY has too many tax fiefdoms or jurisdictions is sort of a red herring. According to the the US Census Bureau, NY had 3,453. Relative to population, that’s not especially high, and there’s no correlation between the number of local governments and the burden of property taxes in different states.
In fact, the evidence suggests New York’s high local taxes are driven mainly by high employee wages and benefits — but Cuomo has made it clear he won’t pursue reform of the collective-bargaining laws that make it hard for localities to restructure contracts.
Taxes are high simply because public servants on LI are overcompensated. The gym teacher in your local elementary school gets paid close to 150K to take attendance and bounce around a basketball on what is essentially a part-time schedule. If that is not a sweet gig, I don't know what is.
The idea that taxes are high because NY has too many tax fiefdoms or jurisdictions is sort of a red herring. According to the the US Census Bureau, NY had 3,453. Relative to population, that’s not especially high, and there’s no correlation between the number of local governments and the burden of property taxes in different states.
In fact, the evidence suggests New York’s high local taxes are driven mainly by high employee wages and benefits — but Cuomo has made it clear he won’t pursue reform of the collective-bargaining laws that make it hard for localities to restructure contracts.
Taxes are high simply because public servants on LI are overcompensated. The gym teacher in your local elementary school gets paid close to 150K to take attendance and bounce around a basketball.
What you said about overcompensation is true. We also just have too many civil servants, particularly in the schools. With over 100 school districts, six-figure superintendents seem to multiply like bunnies. In my town alone (Valley Stream), there are FOUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS! Nobody can tell me they're not piling onto the beleaguered homeowners by running this racket.
What you said about overcompensation is true. We also just have too many civil servants, particularly in the schools. With over 100 school districts, six-figure superintendents seem to multiply like bunnies. In my town alone (Valley Stream), there are FOUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS! Nobody can tell me they're not piling onto the beleaguered homeowners by running this racket.
True that! And the 2% tax cap that has more holes than cottage cheese isn't even permanent and is set to sunset in 2016. It is only going to get worse! I am so glad I am out. Let some other s-Cker pay for the early retiring 150K a year earning basketball bouncing gym teacher. Don't even get me started on the Rolls Royce driving superintendents.
True that! And the 2% tax cap that has more holes than cottage cheese isn't even permanent and is set to sunset in 2016. It is only going to get worse! I am so glad I am out. Let some other s-Cker pay for the early retiring 150K earning basketball bouncing gym teacher.
Is it really? I thought the tax cap was a permanent thing. Well, hit don't matter none, as they say in Texas. I will be so out of here in 2016.
The OP asked a reasonable question, "why are taxes so high," and didn't get an answer. There are many reasons for this problem, and answering your question in full is a topic worthy of a doctoral thesis. I'll start with the beginning.
<BEGIN HISTORY LESSON>
The problem began after WWII when servicemen and women were returning from the front and needed affordable housing. Developers like Levitt accommodated them by building LI starter homes that were affordable for this new middle class. Everyone in those days wanted a home with a lawn and room for their growing families.
As people moved east, multiple townships, villages and school district were established because everyone wanted to do things their way. Everyone wanted to have autonomy, unlike the way things are in NYC where services were combined.
Once these multiple civil service entities and their bureaucrats became established, the cost of providing services became more expensive. Fiefdoms and territory are things to be protected once they're entrenched, and we're still stuck with them because they refuse to consolidate.
</END HISTORY LESSON>
That's an opener. Someone else will have to continue this tale.
There's a big chapter to the story that you left out. All those people moving out to the country didn't want it to resemble the city they left in any way. They wanted only the stores they needed. They didn't want to live near businesses or industry. And if they wanted to see apartments they would have stayed in Queens. The people moving here today voice the same arguments but none of them have ever understood that the things they are running from are the things that made life more affordable. Well placed business and industry produces a wealth of tax income while only minimally demanding services. Be careful what you wish for, or demand.
Once these multiple civil service entities and their bureaucrats became established, the cost of providing services became more expensive. Fiefdoms and territory are things to be protected once they're entrenched, and we're still stuck with them because they refuse to consolidate.
</END HISTORY LESSON>
That's an opener. Someone else will have to continue this tale.
In fact, the evidence suggests New York’s high local taxes are driven mainly by high employee wages and benefits — but Cuomo has made it clear he won’t pursue reform of the collective-bargaining laws that make it hard for localities to restructure contracts.
.
Taxes are high simply because public servants on LI are overcompensated. The gym teacher in your local elementary school gets paid close to 150K to take attendance and bounce around a basketball on what is essentially a part-time schedule. If that is not a sweet gig, I don't know what is.
Maybe Gym teachers only make $55K. Would depend on experience and educational background.
There's likely no more than 10 gym teachers on the entire Island that make over 125K.
and I'm willing to wager less than 50% are breaking six figures.
15 Years on the job as an educator nets you 90K in Orange County, CA (a suburb of LA).
Why is it everywhere else has dramatically lower taxes aside from Jersey?
Maybe Gym teachers only make $55K. Would depend on experience and educational background.
There's likely no more than 10 gym teachers on the entire Island that make over 125K.
and I'm willing to wager less than 50% are breaking six figures.
You will lose that wager. Look it up on the internet. All the information is posted complete with names, school districts, and salaries for their part time jobs. Also you will find pension amounts as well.
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