The governor says he might delay state income tax refunds. I can’t think of a worse idea.

A refund isn’t his money. It’s yours.

I encourage you to sign an on-line petition on my website to help get the tax refunds out the door as soon as possible. I will deliver the petition to the governor in the next few weeks to let him know how we feel. 

The senate passed a resolution urging the governor not to withhold refunds, and I’m   supporting legislation that would require the state to make refund payments within 30 days.

Hardworking taxpayers count on their refunds. No matter what Albany’s financial position is,  holding tax refunds is just plain wrong.  It should be sent back to you as soon as possible.

If we have to make tough choices on other fronts to reduce spending, let’s make the tough choices. We need to get taxes and spending under control. The state should not engage in games and gimmicks, like delaying tax refunds, that are not going to solve our long-term problems.

 Please sign my petition  and encourage others to do so!

Senator Jim Seward

Editor’s Note:  I agree with everything the Senator writes here; but there’s an aspect of this notice that needs to be examined and is colossally more important to our futures. Senator Seward  just a few weeks ago sent out a survey (at taxpayer expense) asking such questions as “will not receiving your star rebate effect you?”  And a week later another full color, glossy, cover stock flyer (you remember the one with the cute picture of a snowman taking up about one quarter of the space) telling us how to “turn off lights” in rooms we’re not in.   Aside from the patronizing slant of both mailings, its time to take the blinders off.  If you agree or disagree with the Senator based on his being a Republican, its time to take the blinders off.  Spending is the problem with our governments; locally, statewide and federally.  If a government representative is willing to go to the extent of creating legislation to block a sitting executive’s attempt to shore up the fiscal mess in Albany (and let’s face it, their talking about a thirty day delay on refunds to late filers, it hardly rises to the level of the Stamp Act of 1765 ) and at the same time waste taxpayer money on such nonsensical subject matter as the above mailings, then there’s a problem.  He doesn’t get it!  Now, I hear alot about how tired people are of “partisan politics”.  Well, I’m a Republican. It pains me that I need to write this.  The unchecked and unnecessary spending should anger you as well.  If you take offense or glee to this post based on the relationship of his party to your own, then you’re guilty of playing partisan politics and not helping in the fight.   Sign his petition if you want, I will; but first re-read his notice above and then send him a letter or pick up the phone to let him know that the state’s financial situation is the result of a million “little, insignificant” expenses.  Let the tough choices start there.