My son from Virginia wrote a letter to you in a response to what our governor is doing to our state. It's sad to see the dwindling of the “middle class,” but thanks to our governor I feel he is doing just that.

I joined Auburn Steel in 1976 and for 28 years I raised four children and supported six. I have worked my butt off, sometimes double shifts just to take care of my family, just as a lot of folks have. I don't consider myself any more special than the next man or woman.

In 2005 I retired from Auburn Steel-Nucor Steel and now am employed as a security guard at Auburn Memorial Hospital. I no longer make the money I made at the steel mill and there is only my wife and myself. That still doesn't make me any less of a man. What is happening now is that the programs available from our state and federal government help keep me as well as probably a lot of other families a little above water. Basically just off the welfare rolls.

Now our governor wants to take the STAR program away, proper education away, unfair taxes again taxing the middle class and a tax he calls obesity tax and a gasoline tax as well as other taxes, I'm sure targeting the middle class. I don't hear our pathetic Albany representatives saying to our beloved governor that they will take a $10,000 or $12,000 a year cut in pay to help our beloved New York state. I don't see them stepping up to the plate and saying no to our governor when it comes to taxing the overtaxed middle class people again, again and again.

I'm not opposed to a state sales tax hike in the items we purchase at the store because that affects all people, no matter what class they are categorized in - people. it's time we said no more taxes unless they are fair to all people in New York state.

Bill Burleson

Port Byron