Press Center

Connie Kepert & Mark Lesko:
‘Second to None’ in Imposing Higher Taxes
Haley & Cunha Call on All Local Governments to Join GOP Majority’s Stand to Force NYS to Collect Job-Killing MTA Tax

June 25, 2009
Brookhaven Republican Press Release

Brookhaven Town Republican candidates today blasted Democrats Mark Lesko and Connie Kepert for their votes at the June 23rd Town Board meeting that would have forced Town property taxpayers to pay nearly $250,000 in higher job-killing taxes to the state for an unfair payroll tax imposed on residents by Albany Democrats.

Rick Cunha, a small businessman and the Republican-Conservative candidate in the Fourth district, said he is not going to waste time trying to figure out the warped financial thinking of Connie Kepert; he is going to offer a series of pro-taxpayer solutions over the course of the campaign to address them.

“In this economy, we should not be imposing unfair taxes on businesses that provide the jobs. As a local businessman, I know moneys would be better spent back intro our economy and back into creating more jobs. I applaud the Republican-Conservative council members for standing up to the Democrats and stopping the taxpayers of Brookhaven from paying this regressive, job-killing tax,” said Cunha, “I agree with the Republican lawmakers on the town board – if the Democrats in the State and the MTA want this tax revenue, let them sue us. The State of New York is in financial disarray, under the Democrats! Taxes and fees rise daily. In Brookhaven, the Republican Majority has worked tirelessly to keep taxes stable while providing the necessary services our residents expect and deserve.”

Martin Haley, a popular past county legislator and private business man, stated it was time to tackle the Democrats’ tax and spend policies. Haley, who will be laying out a pro-active agenda to cap spending and curb tax increases, called upon other governmental jurisdictions throughout Brookhaven to follow the Republican-Conservative Town Board Majority’s lead on this onerous tax.

“Why should Brookhaven taxpayers have to pay nearly a quarter of a million dollars to bail out the MTA so that New York City residents can enjoy cheaper subway rides?” said Haley, whose skills as an administrator has been recognized on several occasions. “Not a single employee at Town Hall commutes by train to work, yet the state – because of a critical vote by Brian Foley – wants our taxpayers to reach into their pockets to pay for city trains and buses. It’s unfair, it’s wrong, and it couldn’t come at a worse time for our residents, many of whom are struggling to make ends meet. Mark Lesko and Connie Kepert may want to fork over our residents’ hard earned money to support the Democratic City Party Bosses, but I say no! Let them sue us, and try to justify this immoral, unethical burden on our taxpayers!”