Republican gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino pledged to water down state mandates and cut business taxes in an address to New York business executives on Wednesday night.
Paladino addressed about 200 members of The Business Council of New York State Inc., a business lobby covering most of the major corporations in the state, at a conference in Bolton Landing.
Paladino disclosed new details of his economic agenda in his half-hour speech, likely the largest all-business gathering he’s had since starting his campaign.
Paladino also signaled a willingness to seek common ground and stressed that many of his goals would take multiple years to realize, although he pledged to serve just one term in office.
Paladino is running against Democrat Andrew Cuomo, who this week released details about his economic agenda.
Cutting taxes are chief among Paladino’s priorities.
Paladino, a multimillionaire developer from Buffalo, said he would freeze property taxes for two years while he restructures state finances. He said he supported a tough property tax cap without exceptions, though he did not say what level the cap would be set at.
“I know that sounds a lot like Andrew Cuomo—if you think you can believe him,” Paladino said.
“I support capping before cutting like I support walking before running. I will move resolutely to cut state spending deeply,” Paladino said. “Capping is gutless; cutting takes courage.”
Paladino pledged across-the-board cuts in state income taxes and corporate franchise taxes, while making an income tax hike approved in 2009 expire a year earlier than originally planned.
“I will provide businesses relief from the onerous taxes and regulations strangling them today,” Paladino said. “I’m going to make our businesses competitive again.”
Paladino attacked Cuomo on the issue of taxes, saying that he “wriggles around” on the topic.
“He says he wants to freeze current corporate tax rates. Sound familiar? Seen that nonsense before?” Paladino asked.
“He is scared. He’s not afraid of Carl the person. He’s afraid of the issues,” Paladino added.
Paladino repeated earlier statements that he would cut 20 percent of state spending within his first two years in office. He said he would also cut the size of the state work force and shut down state agencies he sees as redundant.
“Out of 298,314 employees, they couldn’t find one to lay off. Not one,” Paladino said of state leaders. “Can you imagine running your business that way?”
Paladino said state mandates must be “watered down significantly.” He also said he would slash Medicaid spending and force changes to rein in state pension costs, while taking on union-friendly wage mandates and the Wicks Law, which governs public construction contracts.
Paladino provided few details on how he would accomplish many goals. He was specific about Medicaid, which costs the state more than $50 billion a year—the largest slice of the state budget.
Paladino said he would “revise” reimbursement rates to health care providers and cut down the optional services New York offers to the level of what’s available in California, the state with the second-largest Medicaid program.
“It’s hardly an inhumane move,” Paladino said.