Ithaca-Based Engineering Firm Cites Concern Over Tax Bill, Health Care
ITHACA—Taitem Engineering announced that it would be endorsing Democratic Congressional Nominee Tracy Mitrano (NY-23). The Ithaca-based company, which has never before endorsed a political candidate for office, said that it was taking this unprecedented step due to serious concerns on a variety of matters that may imperil the firm’s ability to do business.
“Taitem Engineering is deeply concerned about a number of current political issues as they impact our company,” the Taitem’s partners said in a letter to their employees announcing the move. “The Affordable Care Act came within one vote of being repealed in the Senate and was approved by the House. Repeal would have put healthcare at risk for our staff. As another example, the recent tax reform deeply reduces taxes for many of our larger competitors (C corporations) while not reducing taxes for our firm (an S corporation) nearly as much. The tax cut for larger corporations is also permanent, whereas the tax cut for us is temporary. We also feel that the debt that the tax reform incurs will place the economy at risk, significantly increasing out national debt.”
In the letter, Taitem’s partners also expressed concerns about the way in which the current administration has targeted immigrants and other specific ethnic and religious groups through negative rhetoric and federal actions. The perpetuation of such animus, the company warned, could seriously through Taitem’s ability to recruit and retain its staff.
The company made its final decision on the basis of a survey that it sent out to Democratic Nominee Mitrano and her opponent, incumbent Republican Tom Reed. Reed did not return the survey. Mitrano did, with answers that indicated to the company that she was a candidate who would fight for their interests.
“I’m proud to have the backing of Taitem Engineering,” Mitrano said. “Taitem is exactly the kind of company that we need in our district: locally grown, locally oriented. Taitem knows that it can’t succeed unless its employees have healthcare. It knows it can’t succeed in a country where the richest among us are the ones paying the lowest taxes. If elected to Congress, I will work to foster an environment in New York’s that is good for business—equitable taxes, sustainable environment, and fair industry practices”
Taitem Engineering was founded in 1989 and is based in Ithaca. It provides consulting in matters of mechanical, electrical, plumbing and structural engineering, as well as specialty contracting services such as solar PV installation and Aeroseal duct sealing. It has been the statewide Quality Assurance Contractor for New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s Multifamily Energy Performance Portfolio since 2007.