Dems pressure N.Y. Rep.-elect Buerkle over tax troubles

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) wants to keep the pressure on Rep.-elect Ann Marie Buerkle (R), who is facing scrutiny regarding her tax filings a month after winning one of the tightest House races in New York.

The Department of Taxation and Finance has filed a tax warrant against Buerkle, claiming she owes $7,036 in back taxes to the state, according to The Syracuse Post-Standard.

A DCCC spokesman wondered how she would "follow through on her promises of fiscal responsibility when she repeatedly doesn’t pay her taxes."

Buerkle's camp told the paper it was a mistake related to incorrect information that a former business tenant provided to the IRS.

During the campaign, Rep. Dan Maffei (D-N.Y.) also tried to use tax issues related to Buerkle's Kasson Road shopping center against her. He claimed she owed $30,000 in county taxes on the property.

Buerkle said she was paying the tax bill based on an installment plan. She defeated Maffei last month by fewer than 1,000 votes.