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New York State Budget Relies On Entertainment Tax

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the i-thought-mass-would-do-it-first dept.

einer writes "Facing a budget shortfall, New York State Governor David Paterson crafts a budget that taxes iPod music downloads and other 'digitally delivered entertainment services.' On the chopping block is $700 million in school aid and $3.5 billion in health care subsidies."

4 of 655 comments (clear)

  1. Easy Remedy for Those Looking to Avoid by eldavojohn · · Score: 5, Informative

    Simple solution if you think this is unjust highway robbery targeting the technically gifted: Find a friend or family living in a different state and get their address. Call your credit card company and add their name and address to a billable location for your credit card. Then when you set up your credit card information on iTunes or Amazon or whatever, list their address as the billing address. They can't apply the tax even if you are downloading in NY.

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    My work here is dung.
    1. Re:Easy Remedy for Those Looking to Avoid by aesiamun · · Score: 4, Informative

      Did you forget that an entire state is attached to that hole they call New York City? Some of us live in the middle of the state...with NY State already taxing Amazon purchases, the drop of education money and the 18% tax on non diet soda, I have a feeling NY doesn't want people living here anymore. :(

  2. Re:A government in its death throes by SirGarlon · · Score: 3, Informative

    So the state is collapsing under its government's regulations

    Actually, the state is collapsing under a sudden, dramatic downturn in tax revenues because Wall Street firms are losing money all of sudden. Quoth TFA:

    "Maybe we should have thought about this when we were depending on what we thought was inexhaustive collections of taxes from Wall Street - and now those taxes have fallen off a cliff."

    Apparently the state of New York didn't build up any cash reserves/pay off debts when times were good.

    I don't see where regulation comes into it. It's not that I expect you to RTFA or anything, but it sure sounds like you're jumping to conclusions to fit your pet theory.

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    [Sir Garlon] is the marvellest knight that is now living, for he destroyeth many good knights, for he goeth invisible.
  3. Re:Whaaambulance by ericrost · · Score: 4, Informative

    I'll say this real slow so you understand:

    UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE IS NOT WELFARE.

    It's paid for out of the checks of the workers (and then funneled into the programs by the federal government) that's why its called unemployment INSURANCE. This is the biggest crock of shit that the blame the victim "personal responsibility" crowd needs to get over. Its just as much welfare as your HEALTH insurance is.

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    My Babylon