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Budget Harmony Greets Mayor's Proposal
Several other city and state officials applauded the tax rollbacks. However, neither Quinn nor the others made any mention of the education changes proposed by the mayor which triggered strong opposition from the United Federation of Teachers. Joining Quinn in supporting the $1 billion in tax cuts were Councilmembers Peter Vallone Jr. and John Liu, state Senator Frank Padavan and Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum. The council, of course, must approve the budget, so Quinn's supportive position on the tax cuts is a major advantage for the mayor. However, there might still be some other matters that could cause friction between Bloomberg and the Council; but these can easily be resolved since there's agreement on the tax reductions. Under the mayor's preliminary budget, as described in his annual State of the City address last Wednesday, there would be: +A 5 percent cut in the property tax rate, saving homeowners $750 million. +Elimination of the city sales tax on all clothing and footwear, saving consumers $110 million. +Another $400 property tax rebate. +Business tax cuts, saving business owners $140 million. +Earned Income Tax Credits for households earning no more than $25,000 for 2003 and 2004, putting $170 million directly into the pockets of low-income families. As for the proposed education changes, principals and 32 school superintendents would get increased powers; accountability will be increased for every school's academic performance; school tenure for teachers will be tightened considerably, and money amounts distributed to schools will be more equalized. In announcing his budget objectives, the mayor said he was attempting to create a farreaching and ambitious agenda which resulted from a $2 billion surplus created by higher than expected taxes collected from Wall Street. Quinn said in a statement she was pleased with the responsible tax relief and felt the elimination of the sales tax would help working families. Citing much better economic times in the city, she said it was "only right" to cut property and business taxes. Quinn said she also agreed to the mayor's call for reforming and strengthening the city campaign finance system, saying "Questions of candidate fairness and special influences still need to be addressed." Quinn also applauded the mayor's proposal to keep the commercial corridors in all five boroughs cleaner and more attractive. Vallone (D- Astoria) said the mayor's budget proposal was "the best news New York City has had in a long time. Mayor Bloomberg is a man of his word," he added. "After 9/11, he made a commitment to me and to the entire city that these increases were a temporary wartime tax," Vallone recalled. "Because of the sacrifice of our citizens, we have not just recovered, but prospered. Today, Mayor Bloomberg honors his commitment to lighten the burden on New Yorkers now that our darkest days are behind us." Liu (D- Flushing) stated, "Hopefully, this is just the first installment of a tax rollback. The objective ought to be the repeal of the entire 18.5 percent property tax imposed in the aftermath of September 11. In addition, the administration should endeavor to have this property tax rollback trickle down to people who pay rent as well." Padavan (R- C, Bellerose) said in response to the mayor's program. "It's encouraging that so many of my colleagues on the city and state level realize that taxes, specifically taxes in New York, are too high. High taxes suffocate homeowners and small businesses, and I applaud the mayor for his efforts thus far in helping to make New York a more affordable place for all of us to live and do business." Gotbaum noted: "Homeowners have been socked over the past few years by the spike in the property tax rate and soaring assessments." |
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