New York Republicans Respond on SALT Cap
‘It is our duty as members of Congress to defend the pocketbooks of our constituents.’ By Readers Aug. 14, 2023 1:12 pm ET Photo: Stephanie Keith/Bloomberg News We were surprised to read your editorial “Republicans Return to the SALT Mines” (Aug. 4) questioning our stance on the state and local tax-deduction law (SALT) that has been crippling hardworking, middle-class families in New York for the past six years. The 2017 law, which limits state and local tax write-offs to $10,000 in federal tax filings and doubled the standard deduction, clearly benefits taxpayers in some parts of the country. But it has proved devastating to countless New Yorkers. Many of them have since voted with their feet, abandoning New York for states with friendlier tax climates. Blame for New York’s punishingly high taxes and reckless spending, as you
Photo: Stephanie Keith/Bloomberg News
We were surprised to read your editorial “Republicans Return to the SALT Mines” (Aug. 4) questioning our stance on the state and local tax-deduction law (SALT) that has been crippling hardworking, middle-class families in New York for the past six years.
The 2017 law, which limits state and local tax write-offs to $10,000 in federal tax filings and doubled the standard deduction, clearly benefits taxpayers in some parts of the country. But it has proved devastating to countless New Yorkers. Many of them have since voted with their feet, abandoning New York for states with friendlier tax climates.
Blame for New York’s punishingly high taxes and reckless spending, as you point out, clearly rests with the Democrats in Albany who control all three branches of government. We encourage fiscally responsible state lawmakers—or those with simple common sense—to dramatically lower tax rates here and cut state spending.
Meanwhile, it is our duty as members of Congress to defend the pocketbooks of our constituents. In our districts, a cop married to a teacher is considered rich by national standards, but not here in New York.
They shouldn’t be penalized by the federal government with a form of double taxation, especially since New York continues to be a donor state, paying more in federal taxes than it receives from Washington. The idea that other states are subsidizing New York is hogwash.
The SALT deduction, as it now exists, cannot stand. We will continue to fight for responsible changes that help all New Yorkers.
Rep. Mike Lawler (R., N.Y.)
Rep. Nick LaLota (R., N.Y.)
Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R., N.Y.)
Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R., N.Y.)
Rep. Marc Molinaro (R., N.Y.)
Perhaps people in the lower-taxed regions should consider subsidizing the high taxes of the progressive states a reasonable investment to reduce the flow of voters from those areas to their states.
Tim Schefter
Loveland, Colo.
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