Madmallard
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Elected officials in New York have been trying desperately to figure out how to soften the impact of federal tax reform on millions of state residents. Ideas like a switch to a payroll tax, letting people treat their state and local payments as charitable contributions, and making technical changes to the state's tax code have all been discussed. But two months into the 2018 legislative session, it’s not clear which, if any, of these ideas may be implemented.
Nearly a century ago, the state faced a similar situation because of a change at the federal level — Prohibition. But as soon as it became evident that the 18th Amendment would be adopted, New York’s leaders made it clear they would make up for the loss of excise taxes by establishing a state income tax.
The tax was passed during a dramatic session that included debate over several issues that should sound familiar. At one point, session was nearly derailed when several members bolted from the Republican conference that controlled the Senate in an attempt to pass Gov. Al Smith’s women’s agenda and create a state-run health care system. The income tax bill was seen as somewhat less monumental, and the Legislature’s failure to act on the other measures was widely described as the year’s biggest story.
The dry origins of New York’s income tax
Nearly a century ago, the state faced a similar situation because of a change at the federal level — Prohibition. But as soon as it became evident that the 18th Amendment would be adopted, New York’s leaders made it clear they would make up for the loss of excise taxes by establishing a state income tax.
The tax was passed during a dramatic session that included debate over several issues that should sound familiar. At one point, session was nearly derailed when several members bolted from the Republican conference that controlled the Senate in an attempt to pass Gov. Al Smith’s women’s agenda and create a state-run health care system. The income tax bill was seen as somewhat less monumental, and the Legislature’s failure to act on the other measures was widely described as the year’s biggest story.
The dry origins of New York’s income tax
