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Albany, NY - NYC Sales Tax Derailed; Sen. Diaz: Bloomberg Should Use His Own Money to Balance The Budget |
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The measure, which is being carried by Sen. Liz Krueger, was on tap for passage this afternoon by the Senate Democrats at the session they are holding courtesy of the (unintended and disputed) participation by GOP Sen. Frank Padavan.
Things were steaming right along in the chamber, with the clerk announcing bills passed 32-0, until Diaz suddenly stood up, protesting loudly that the proceedings should come to a halt because he wanted to lay a bill aside.
Krueger then stood and told the clerk that she had "starred" the bill - S.5897 - which would have prevented the measure from moving. She later corrected herself, saying she actually wanted it "temporarily laid aside," which means the bill is controversial and needs to be debated.
A vote was called, and the bill failed: 19-13. (It would have failed anyway, since there are only 31 members physically in the chamber; but Padavan was apparently counted in the affirmative).
The "no" votes were: Adams, Addabbo, Diaz, Dilan, Hassell-Thompson, Kruger (Carl), Monserrate, Montgomery, Onorato, Parker, Perkins, Sampson, Smith.
Before the vote, Sen. Malcolm Smith asked for the Senate to stand at ease, which gave reporters a chance to speak with Diaz Sr., who said he opposes balancing the budget "on the back of the poor." (He said he was OK with the millionaire's tax that was included in the 2009-2010 state budget).
"No more tax for the city of New York," he said. "Because the people of the City of New York, the members of my district, are paying too much taxes. Yesterday. Yesterday, the MTA increased the fare...No more taxes for the City of New York. Not just me. There's a group of them. Let's see what happens. Me personally, I'm tried of taxes."
Diaz Sr. suggested that if Bloomberg needs money to balance the budget, he should take it out of his own pocket, perhaps diverting some of the cash (close to $20 million already) that he has been dropping on his re-election campaign.
Monserrate was the only other senator to explain his vote. He stood to "echo the sentiment" expressed by Diaz Sr., saying the city needs a "much better and more progressive tax scheme."
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Read Comments (8) — Post Yours »
1
Jun 30, 2009 at 03:20 PM Diaz is DA' MA'AN Says:
At least some stature for a politician
2
Jun 30, 2009 at 03:15 PM Agudah Hocker Says:
So, what does this do to Priority 7 funding the Mayor just reinstated?????
3
Jun 30, 2009 at 04:37 PM Charlie Hall Says:
“ So, what does this do to Priority 7 funding the Mayor just reinstated????? ”
Probably dead, along with a lot of other programs.
4
Jun 30, 2009 at 04:59 PM FED UP Says:
I & whomver I am talk with al are of the same opinion '' enough of all these tax increases "
Start cutting the bloated city government with their generous union wages & lifetime benefits
5
Jun 30, 2009 at 05:38 PM A Says:
“ I & whomver I am talk with al are of the same opinion '' enough of all these tax increases "
Start cutting the bloated city government with their generous union wages & lifetime benefits ”
That's a start, certainly, but it won't make that much of a difference. If you want the Priority 7 funding it's going to have to come from somewhere and I know it's going to come from me and all the other long-suffering middle-income tax paying residents who end up carrying the burden for both the poor and the rich tax-evading cheats that have been squirreling away their money in tax havens in Swiss banks and banks in the Caribbean.
6
Jun 30, 2009 at 06:19 PM Anonymous Says:
Just for that statement alone, he has my vote!!
7
Jun 30, 2009 at 11:50 PM WolfishMusings Says:
“ Just for that statement alone, he has my vote!! ”
Why? Why do you think that it's Bloomberg's responsibility to make up the budget shortfall from his own personal cash?
8
Jun 30, 2009 at 11:32 PM Charlie Hall Says:
“ Just for that statement alone, he has my vote!! ”
There are a few struggling shuls in Sen. Diaz' district. He is a tremendous friend to the small Jewish community in the Bronx even though his district has very few Jews. I once heard him make a very stirring pro-Israel speech. A few dozen frum families could rejuvenate the area -- consider it!