Press Center

23 February 2010

Panico Pledges to Cut Taxes, Cut Spending, Create Job Incentives & Enact Tax Cap

Republican/Conservative Candidate Signs ‘Taxpayers' Protection Pledge’, Challenges Democrat to Do Same


Dan Panico, the Republican-Conservative candidate for Brookhaven’s Sixth Town District, today unveiled and signed the Brookhaven Town Taxpayers’ Protection Pledge which details a package of tax relief initiatives, including widespread cuts on both the Town General tax and Town spending, and, a voter referendum on a Town Property Tax Cap.

Panico challenged his Democrat opponent to join him in signing the Brookhaven Town Taxpayers’ Protection Pledge.

“From Washington to Albany to Brookhaven, politicians just aren't getting it. They're making it even tougher for the hardworking families of the Sixth District to make ends meet, raise their families and keep good paying jobs,” said Panico, “In these difficult times, families in the Sixth District just can't afford more of the same failed proposals supported and enacted by Gov. Paterson, and his supporters like my opponent. We just can’t take another job killing MTA Bailout Payroll Tax or the loss of our STAR Rebate checks.”

The Brookhaven Town Taxpayers’ Protection Pledge consists of supporting the following tax relief proposals:

ü Across the board Town General Property Tax Cut;
ü New Incentives to Create New Jobs and Help Small Businesses;
ü Voter Referendum on a Town Property Tax Cap;
ü Across the board Cuts in Town Spending to pay for Tax Cuts and Incentives;

“We need to take action right now! That’s why I signed the Brookhaven Town Taxpayers’ Protection Pledge, and challenge my opponent to do the same,” said Panico, an attorney. “Over the course of this campaign, I have outlined a proactive property tax relief package that would cut town general taxes, create new jobs, and fight for a voter-approved Tax Cap paid for through an across the board cut in wasteful spending. My plan will finally turn Brookhaven around through lower taxes, less spending and new jobs.”

Legis. Ed Romaine, the author of the Suffolk County’s tax and spending caps and whose son, the late Councilman Keith Romaine, proposed a town tax cap that was rejected by the Lesko Democrat Team, said: "Although his efforts were blocked at every direction, my son Keith fought hard to institute a tax cap. In these tough economic times, we need a strong leader like Dan Panico who will fight equally hard to deliver tax relief for Brookhaven taxpayers," said Romaine.

Panico stated that when elected, he will immediately sponsor the resolutions of the Brookhaven Town Taxpayers’ Protection Pledge in an effort to slash wasteful town spending and patronage programs, and public hearings for a Tax Cap voter referendum and creative incentives to create new jobs. “These will lead to a town general tax cut and make new private sector jobs available to the people of the Sixth District,” said Panico.