New York City is under siege. Governor Patterson is seeking to put people out of work and shut down small businesses throughout the state. A proposed raise in the Cigar Tax to 75% percent is being pushed through the senate. Sadly our government believes raising the cigar tax will help increase revenue when it has been statistically proven to have a negative effect. Only this time around it will cost jobs and shut down many small business throughout the state.
The first casualty has come in Kingston, where Uptown Cigar Company is closing its doors and adding to an already staggering unemployment rate. If you live in New York, Work in New York or even visit New York you must call our so called leaders of the state and let them know that you will be taking your business out of state. As a cigar smoker who pays taxes, and for his own health insurance out of pocket I have noticed my in state purchases drop off about 60% since the last increase. The current increase will have me buying cigars in Florida, Pennsylvania and even New Jersey where they have a lower tax rate.
CRA is urging all members contact the legislative leadership noted below, and the governors office, to voice your opposition to this tax increase on cigars.
Sheldon Silver, Speaker
Email: Sheldon Silver
Telephone: 212-312-1420
Postal Address:
250 Broadway
Suite 2307
New York, NY 10007
John Sampson, Senator
Email: John Sampson
Telephone: 718-649-7653
Postal Address:
1222 East 96th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11236
Governor David Paterson
Email: Governor David Paterson
Telephone: 518-474-8390
Postal Address:
State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224
Pedro Espada, Senator
Email: Pedro Espada
Telephone: 518-455-3395
Postal Address:
Capitol Building
Room 420
Albany, NY 12247
Carl Kruger, Senator
Email: Carl Kruger
Telephone: 718-743-8610
Postal Address:
2201 Avenue U
Brooklyn, NY 11229
Malcolm A. Smith, Senator
Email: Malcolm A. Smith
Telephone: 718-528-4290
Postal Address:
205-19 Linden Boulevard
St. Albans, NY 11412
Jeffrey D. Klein, Senator
Email: Jeffrey D. Klein
Telephone: 718-822-2049
Postal Address:
Capitol Building Room 427
Albany, New York 12247
Eric Adams, Senator
Email: Eric Adams
Telephone: 718-284-4700
Postal Address:
572 Flatbush Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11225
The first casualty has come in Kingston, where Uptown Cigar Company is closing its doors and adding to an already staggering unemployment rate. If you live in New York, Work in New York or even visit New York you must call our so called leaders of the state and let them know that you will be taking your business out of state. As a cigar smoker who pays taxes, and for his own health insurance out of pocket I have noticed my in state purchases drop off about 60% since the last increase. The current increase will have me buying cigars in Florida, Pennsylvania and even New Jersey where they have a lower tax rate.
CRA is urging all members contact the legislative leadership noted below, and the governors office, to voice your opposition to this tax increase on cigars.
Sheldon Silver, Speaker
Email: Sheldon Silver
Telephone: 212-312-1420
Postal Address:
250 Broadway
Suite 2307
New York, NY 10007
John Sampson, Senator
Email: John Sampson
Telephone: 718-649-7653
Postal Address:
1222 East 96th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11236
Governor David Paterson
Email: Governor David Paterson
Telephone: 518-474-8390
Postal Address:
State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224
Pedro Espada, Senator
Email: Pedro Espada
Telephone: 518-455-3395
Postal Address:
Capitol Building
Room 420
Albany, NY 12247
Carl Kruger, Senator
Email: Carl Kruger
Telephone: 718-743-8610
Postal Address:
2201 Avenue U
Brooklyn, NY 11229
Malcolm A. Smith, Senator
Email: Malcolm A. Smith
Telephone: 718-528-4290
Postal Address:
205-19 Linden Boulevard
St. Albans, NY 11412
Jeffrey D. Klein, Senator
Email: Jeffrey D. Klein
Telephone: 718-822-2049
Postal Address:
Capitol Building Room 427
Albany, New York 12247
Eric Adams, Senator
Email: Eric Adams
Telephone: 718-284-4700
Postal Address:
572 Flatbush Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11225