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New York City - Assembly Speaker Silver: I Support Commuter Tax for Out-of-Towners |
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That should come as music to the ears of Silver's frequent political foe, Mayor Bloomberg, who just announced yet another round of budget cuts and could certainly use the extra revenue.
The one caveat: Silver said the GOP-controlled Senate would have to take the lead on this, which seems highly unlikely since Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos has made it clear he opposes any and all tax increases.
In addition, it was Skelos who sponsored the 1999 legislation to repeal the commuter tax in the first place. He called the matter "an issue of fairness" at the time.
UPDATE: So much for that idea. Here's the statement from Skelos spokesman Scott Reif:
"Absolutely not. The New York City commuter tax was a particularly onerous and unfair tax, and we remain opposed to any tax increases."
There is a bill in the Senate to revive the commuter tax, but it doesn't have a majority sponsor. It's being carried by Sen. Tom Duane, a Manhattan Democrat. It does have a majority sponsor in the Assembly - Linda Rosenthal.
Technically speaking, this morning's breakfast was off-the-record. I wasn't there, but got a call from a non-reporter who was in the audience and has a keen nose for news.
Silver spokesman Dan Weiller confirmed that the speaker did indeed express support for the commuter tax and insisted that this was not, in fact, a reversal for him as he has always personally backed the levy on out-of-towners coming into the city to work.
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Read Comments (9) — Post Yours »
1
Sep 25, 2008 at 12:27 PM Anonymous Says:
Too hell with the commuter tax
2
Sep 25, 2008 at 12:46 PM Anonymous Says:
So taxation without representation has once again been shot down. Maybe the American dream is still alive after all.
3
Sep 25, 2008 at 02:09 PM Favish Says:
Wow a new name for congestion pricing!!!
4
Sep 25, 2008 at 02:12 PM Boro Parker Says:
Where are all the people that were praising Shelly Silver for going against Congastion Pricing. After the election you get the true colors of an elected official.
5
Sep 25, 2008 at 03:02 PM Anonymous Says:
That's an awesome picture. :)
6
Sep 25, 2008 at 04:52 PM Charlie Hall Says:
It makes sense for commuters to contribute to the cost of New York City services because they benefit from some of those services, such as police and fire protection, transportation, emergency services, etc. Many other US cities have commuter taxes. The old commuter tax was much lower than the resident income tax, as should the new one be.
7
Sep 25, 2008 at 08:30 PM Anonymous Says:
Tax the income sourced here in New York City.
8
Sep 25, 2008 at 10:13 PM Anonymous Says:
“ Tax the income sourced here in New York City. ”
That was the plan.
Many do not realize that NJ residents come in 5 days a week via path or car and NY needs police, fire and EMS to be ready and supported by these daily visitors.
YES, they should pay their share.
Another issue is; Doctors having offices in NY, working in NY but having the check or insurance mailed out of town. This might be an attempt to avoid NYC taxes.
9
Sep 28, 2008 at 08:49 PM Reb Yid Says:
Wow, that's a heckuva star for him to be hitching himself to. Is he still w/ the program?