[JD59]

We all have pet peeves. Well, now New Yorkers have a pet peeve about pets. A New York state senator wants to raise taxes on dogs and cats. I swear I’m not making this up.

New York State Senator Frank Padavan has proposed adding an extra 3 percent on everything New Yorkers buy for their dogs, cats, hamsters or birds.

New York already has an outrageously high sales tax, which, when combined with city and county taxes, can top out at 9.5 percent! But that’s not enough for Sen. Padavan, who, by the way, is a Republican. The New York Sun, which broke the story on its front page on Friday, has labeled Sen. Padavan’s money grab the “Paw and Claw Tax.”

Now, it’s hard to have much sympathy for New Yorkers. Those of us who live here put up with a lot of craziness for the privilege of being within walking distance of some of the best restaurants, supermarkets, theaters and museums in the country. But those privileges don’t come cheap. And the politicians tack on “carrying charges” that far exceed the costs of the services.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,267833,00.html

[Racelady88]

New York taxes everything. I read yesterday where they are wanting to charge something stupid like $8 every time you drive your car into lower Manhattan.

[BrianH]

My thinking is that its one of them taxes that people try to get passed on something that isnt 'nececary'. You dont need pets, put a higher tax on pet products to help the "Animal Shelters". Probably about 10% would actually go to Animal Shelters, and 90% will go in administration fees. I would support a $10 per year license fee to go to Animal Shelters / Animal Parks etc if i all went there.

But where are rediculous taxes like this going to end ? Sure a baby dosent 'need diapers', lets put a higher tax on this, they dont need forumula, the mother has breats, put a higher tax on that, you havent had a heart attack, lets tax this heart attack prevention medicine higher, its rediculous. If they voted this in the crazy taxes will never stop.

[irishmom]

Wow...I am from New York...and although the saying "you have to be rich to be poor in NYC" has always been true to me, this is going beyond ridiculous! Oh well I guess along with major appliances people will start buying their pet products in bulk in Jersey as well. *sigh*