Resolution No. 259-23
Resolution In Opposition To Senate Bill S6637 Regarding Amending Section 606 Of The Tax Law
WHEREAS, Senate Bill S6637 has been introduced in the New York State Senate which is an act to amend Section 606 of the tax law, in relation to establishing a personal income tax credit for certain persons relocating to New York State to provide or receive reproductive care or gender-affirming care; and
WHEREAS, Senate Bill S6637 will create a tax credit for people who have to relocate to New York State in order to receive, or provide reproductive care or gender-affirming care; and
WHEREAS, Section One creates a tax credit of five hundred dollars for healthcare providers, patients or a patient’s parent or guardian who have to permanently relocate to New York in order to provide or receive reproductive care or gender affirming care; and
WHEREAS, this section also defines “Healthcare Provider” and stipulates that this is a refundable tax credit; and
WHEREAS, this Bill is inviting people to relocate to New York State in order to receive reproductive care or gender-affirming care, while at the same time also inviting those who will provide such care, basically admitting that New York State does not currently have the number of health care providers needed to provide these services; and
WHEREAS, the members of the Greene County Legislature do not believe that this is a cost effective or efficient way to begin any type of program, especially a tax credit program, pushing this idea through the process, without forethought of the financial impact to the residents of New York State, including the residents of Greene County; and
WHEREAS, the Greene County Legislature feels that this Bill would create a hardship on the existing residents of New York State, who are already bearing the financial burden of an influx of an overwhelming number of migrants and asylum-seekers; and
WHEREAS, the Greene County Legislature believes that any such program, if established, should be created and paid for by the Federal government and the burden shared by all States, not just New York;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Greene County Legislature opposes the adoption of Senate Bill S6637 and any similar bill of this nature introduced in the New York State Assembly; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this Resolution be sent to the counties of New York State encouraging member counties to enact a similar resolution; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Clerk of the Greene County Legislature shall send a copy of this Resolution to Governor Kathy Hochul, Senator Michelle Hinchey, Assemblyman Christopher Tague, Speaker of the Assembly Carl Heastie, Majority Leader of the Senate Andrea Stewart-Cousins and the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC).
