Taxation Without Representation
New York City's mayor Michael Bloomberg wants to start charging income tax to commuters again. Those of us who work in NYC but live in New Jersey are already paying state income tax in New York, but we haven't had to pay income tax in the city since the "commuter tax" was repealed in 1999. This time it's six times as big: 2.4% in the $100,000 bracket. Commuting costs themselves are already high, and interstate commuters already pay more income tax, at least around here. I generally don't mind taxes because I appreciate the things they pay for, and I realize that the city has a multi-billion dollar deficit in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks and the midst of the current recession. But as Leslie pointed out to me, this is a tax paid by people who can't vote against the mayor. Blech.