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Politics & Government

Call to Action Rally Protests Bad Government and High Taxes

New campaign demands lower taxes and budget transparency.

Almost a thousand New Yorkers attended a "Call to Action Campaign" Rally Thursday at the Rye Town Hilton, decrying higher taxes and demanding reform in Albany to fix the state's multi-billion budget gap.

The event, held by the Westchester County Association, garnered support and energy to press state legislators to control spending, lower taxes and consolidate services. Ed Koch, former mayor of New York City, was the keynote speaker.

The crowd of nearly 1,000 included politicians, Westchester residents and small business owners.  The campaign has been in action since February and has been making an effort to mobilize citizens to fight against what it views as dishonest government and tax increases.

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Many of those who attended the rally said politicians have done little to address the state's $9.2 billion budget gap.

Daniel Houlihan Jr., a member of the Call to Action campaign since its outset and a small business owner in Westchester, was one of them.

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"We're like a canary in a coalmine. We see everything that's happening around us," Houlihan said. "The runaway costs of the state are devastating. Politicians don't have the will to do what needs to be done."

Somers resident Judy Deane said the state legislature needs a clean slate.

"I think we should throw all of them out," Deane said.

Deane also acknowledged the more pressing local issue. Westchester has some of the highest property taxes in the state—at $8,890 per person. Deane said the tax burden is becoming unmanageable. 

"I live and work in Westchester and it's becoming a place you can't live anymore," Deane said.

Mayor Koch, however, said Westchester's problems are a symbol of issues throughout the entire state. He cited three things that need to change in Albany: new politicians, an expansion of ethics and an honest, balanced budget.

Westchester County Association Chairman Alfred DelBello, who spoke at Thursday's rally, said Westchester—and the state as a whole—have made it difficult for residents to afford to live here and for small businesses to maintain staff and be successful.

"We need a state that attracts business, not turns it away," DelBello said.

The Westchester County Association has partnered with the Long Island Association, Unshackle Upstate and the National Federation of Independent Business for the Call to Action Campaign.

Together they hope to make elected officials in New York sign a pledge to balance the budget without tax increases, support a non-partisan commission to redraw legislative lines and not vote for unfunded mandates.

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