Democrat New York state lawmakers propose raising taxes to help pay for migrants: 'Billionaires ... do not pay what they owe'



More than a dozen state legislators in New York have suggested imposing a tax increase on the top income earners in the state to help pay for the costs associated with the large influx of migrants.

Former Mayor Ed Koch officially made New York City a sanctuary city nearly 35 years ago, but recently, New York officials, many of whom previously supported New York's sanctuary status, have sounded the alarm regarding the number of migrants. Back in May, NYC Mayor Eric Adams went to court to ask a judge "to revisit [the sanctuary city] law to deal with this humanitarian crisis."

Adams has also lately publicly sparred with Gov. Kathy Hochul, also a Democrat, because he wants other areas of the state to help shoulder the burden posed by migrants, which Adams estimates could cost as much as $12 billion over the next three years. "This issue will destroy New York City," Adams said at a town hall earlier this month.

Thus far, Hochul has refused Adams' plea to have more migrants dispersed to counties upstate, and now it seems that other NYC Democrats are not necessarily standing in solidarity with Adams either. Instead, they have suggested that the state impose a tax increase on the top 5% of income earners.

"We should increase taxes because it’s economically just policy to offset all costs for our state to function," said state Sen. Julia Salazar (D-Brooklyn).

"I’d say that even if our city and state hadn’t seen an increase in migrants seeking asylum, this moment makes it all the more important for the wealthy to pay their fair share of taxes," Salazar continued.

Salazar is far from the only Democrat seemingly capitalizing on the migrant crisis to try to eat the rich. State Sen. Jabari Brisport, another Democrat from Brooklyn, expressed a similar outlook. "I would absolutely be over the moon if they call back a special session to raise taxes on the rich," Brisport told Fox 5 New York.

"New York is the most unequal state with the most billionaires in it, and they do not pay what they owe to the rest of us in New York," he added. "So raising their taxes [could] fund social services for all New Yorkers."

Brisport ostensibly includes migrants among "all New Yorkers" as he and 19 other state lawmakers — whom news outlets have characterized as "socialist," "left-wing," and "progressive" — wrote a letter slamming the current response to the migrants and announcing their tax increase proposal.

NYC migrant crisis: State lawmakers pitch tax hike

Assemblywoman Jessica González-Rojas, a Democrat from Queens, appears to support a tax increase on wealthy citizens as well. "A reminder: This is a choice. We are cutting services for New Yorkers when we could #TaxTheRich. Don’t blame migrants for lack of leadership," said a statement from her chief of staff, Brian Romero.

Despite the strong support from fellow Democrats for higher taxes on American citizens and legal residents, Gov. Hochul seems unlikely to sign such tax increases into law any time soon. "Governor Hochul passed two balanced budgets without raising income taxes, and intends to do the same for Fiscal Year 2025," said her spokesperson, Avi Small.

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California Dems propose new wealth tax that would follow residents who leave the state



Progressive California lawmakers introduced a bill last week that would impose a new annual tax on wealthy residents, even if they flee the state, Fox News Digital reported.

The legislation, proposed by Assemblyman Alex Lee (D) and sponsored by nine other state Democrats, would require California residents with a "worldwide net worth" above $1 billion to pay an additional 1.5% yearly tax beginning in January 2024. As early as 2026, the tax threshold could drop to $50 million with an imposed 1% annual tax.

"Billionaires aren't paying what they owe while enjoying public investments to build their empires," Lee wrote on Twitter. "My colleagues today and colleagues from 7 other states are introducing Wealth Taxes to bring tax justice #TaxTheRich."

\u201cBillionaires aren't paying what they owe while enjoying public investments to build their empires. My colleagues today and colleagues from 7 other states are introducing Wealth Taxes to bring tax justice\n#TaxTheRich\u201d
— Alex Lee \u674e\u5929\u660e (@Alex Lee \u674e\u5929\u660e) 1674526245

"Worldwide net worth" encompasses a range of assets beyond annual income, including farmland, arts, collectibles, stocks, and hedge fund interest.

The legislation includes provisions that impose contractual claims to residents' assets, which would require payment even if they move out of state.

Last week, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, and Washington proposed similar legislation to tax wealthy residents.

According to Lee, if the proposed bill is passed, the tax would apply to 0.1% of California households and generate $21.6 billion in state revenue. Lee intends for the new annual wealth tax to address the state's $22.5 billion budget deficit.

"This is how we can keep addressing our budgetary issues," Lee told the Los Angeles Times. "Basically, we could plug the entire hole."

Critics of the legislation believe it would push California's wealthiest residents out of the state.

"The proposed California wealth tax would be economically destructive, challenging to administer and would drive many wealthy residents — and all their current tax payments — out of state," Jared Walczak, vice president of state projects at Tax Foundation, told Fox News Digital. "The bill sets aside as much as $660 million per year just for administrative costs, more than $40,000 per prospective taxpayer, giving an idea of how difficult such a tax would be to administer."

Patrick Gleason, vice president of state affairs at Americans for Tax Reform, told Fox News Digital that the Democrat lawmakers believe they can "get around" the problem of Californians moving "by trying to tax people even after they leave the state."

Gleason and Walczak argued that the legislation is unconstitutional.

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'What could $44 billion have done for the climate crisis?' CNN writer asks amid news of Elon Musk striking deal to buy Twitter



CNN writer Rachel Ramirez issued a tweet on Monday in which she posed the question: "What could $44 billion have done for the climate crisis?"

Billionaire business titan Elon Musk has reached a deal to purchase the social media platform. Twitter announced the deal on Monday and noted that the price would be around $44 billion.

The company "entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by an entity wholly owned by Elon Musk, for $54.20 per share in cash in a transaction valued at approximately $44 billion," Twitter's press release noted. "Upon completion of the transaction, Twitter will become a privately held company."

Musk is the co-founder and CEO of Tesla, a company known for its popular electric vehicles — climate alarmists frequently advocate for transitioning away from gas-powered vehicles and toward the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.

In response to Ramirez's question about what kind of impact $44 billion could have on the climate issue, Chris Tomlinson of Breitbart tweeted that the money would have "Made climate change hustlers more wealthy."

Made climate change hustlers more wealthy.https://twitter.com/rachjuramirez/status/1518669391394750466\u00a0\u2026
— Chris Tomlinson (@Chris Tomlinson) 1651012117

Tim Young tweeted that the money could have "Padded the pockets of the grifters manipulating the narrative on it to scare people."

"Free speech is more important than fake climate crisis," someone else tweeted.

Self-described progressive Rep. Jesús García (D-Ill.) has taken issue with Musk shelling out billions to buy the social media giant and suggested that the money could be better spent in another way.

"There's so many better uses for that money, other than buying a social media company. He could help solve world hunger, could help save local newspapers, or literally help to build bridges or schools," the lawmaker tweeted, along with the link to a piece on The Verge discussing ways Musk could spend the money. "If @ElonMusk can’t pay his fair share in taxes, why should he be allowed to spend $44 Billion on a vanity project boondoggle to silence his critics? #TaxTheRich," García tweeted.

Musk has indicated that he plans to make Twitter into a forum that allows people to engage in free speech.

"By 'free speech', I simply mean that which matches the law. I am against censorship that goes far beyond the law. If people want less free speech, they will ask government to pass laws to that effect. Therefore, going beyond the law is contrary to the will of the people," Musk tweeted on Tuesday.

By \u201cfree speech\u201d, I simply mean that which matches the law. \n\nI am against censorship that goes far beyond the law. \n\nIf people want less free speech, they will ask government to pass laws to that effect.\n\nTherefore, going beyond the law is contrary to the will of the people.
— Elon Musk (@Elon Musk) 1651001613