Results tagged “tax”

The High Line is now the most expensive oasis in the city. The NY Post reports that the park is expected to get $522,388 to $671,641 per acre for yearly maintenance and operations. Bryant Park used to be the priciest piece of land, spending around $479,166 per acre—and on average, city parks get $9,555 an acre. But even after getting $1 million of city (taxpayer) funds annually, the big news here is that the operators are definitely pushing through a "controversial new tax on neighborhood property owners so the managers can spend even more."

The more you peer under the rock that renegade Democratic Senator Pedro Espada, Jr. operates under, the more you understand why the Senate is so screwed. CBS2, which broke the story about how Espada probably illegally lives outside his Bronx district in fancy Westchester, has admittedly "been on his trail for months," and now they're reporting that he may have violated federal and state campaign finance laws. After not bothering to file campaign finance records for years, as required by law, Espada finally deigned to file some of them on Friday. But CBS2 says the records fail to "report significant amounts of spending, like for five glossy campaign mailings. Experts said mailings like this could cost as much as $20,000 apiece."

While Governor Paterson's obesity tax bellyflopped, Nassau County is taking a cue from it. With falling county revenue, county officials included a 2% tax on fast food items as part of its budget—it could bring in more than $11 million. While Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi would rather have a cigarette tax first, he told Newsday, "In the best of all possible worlds it's better to try to discourage unhealthy behavior instead of relying on property taxes. We're just trying to figure out the way to solve the problems without wrecking the county and without raising property taxes." But his office hasn't considered whether healthy food sold at fast food chains would be taxed. A Dunkin' Brands spokesperson said, "We understand that many state and local governments are facing budget deficits due to the tough economic environment, but imposing taxes on consumers and small-business owners is not the way to solve these problems." The State Legislature would have to approve the budget.

Mayor Bloomberg's proposed 5-cent fee on every plastic bag used by shoppers would help reduce waste and raise an estimated $100 million to help the city's budget crisis, but it will probably never see the light of day now that City Council Speaker Christine Quinn opposes it. Quinn is also blocking a move to reimpose the city sales tax on clothing and shoes under $110, which would raise an estimated $394 million a year, and instead she wants to increase the city's sales tax from 4% to 4.5%.

"The taxes are insane!" cried East Village resident Jessica Porter to the Post about her three-line "family plan" cell phone bill, which comes with a tax rate of over 30%. All those vague little taxes can currently add as much as 33%, with eleven federal, state and city levies combining to give New Yorkers the fourth-highest cellphone taxes of any state. And the wireless tax in the latest state budget will likely make us number one! Today the tabloid of record looks with signature disgust at the taxes, which include the state's $1.20 per-month 911 charge. After complaints that only a fraction of the tax went to 911 service, the State Legislature recently changed the name to a "public-service fee" instead. Much better! Bushwick's Danny Schluck tells the Post, "If there was a $5 monkey fee, even if they couldn't explain it, you would still have to pay." Economist Scott Mackey explains that politicians like taxing cell phones because most folks skip the fine print: "There's a tendency to feel no one is going to notice this little tax. They can do this without a lot of pushback from their constituents."

cigarette tax rose by $1.25 per pack (from $1.50 to $2.75). The Health Department says the price hike resulted in more than 2,700 calls to 311 for help to quit over the course of one week—three times the number of calls during the same period in the prior year. 300,000 fewer adult New Yorkers smoke than in 2002, which is partially due to price hikes, indoor smoking bans, and the growing realization that tracheotomies aren't so cool.

Upon news that Governor Paterson and other state lawmakers might raise the sales tax to deal with the state's huge deficit, WCBS 2 asked New Yorkers what they thought if the tax went over 9%. Naturally, the responses were things like "Oh no, this is ridiculous," "Everything is going up except salaries so that's not a good thing, especially in a recession," and "Of course it would definitely affect how much I bought." As for the rumored tax hike for those who make over $500,000, Mayor Bloomberg said, "51, 52 percent of our taxes come from people making $500,000 or more... Five thousand people back in 2006, it's probably a little more diverse today, but in 2006, 5,000 people paid 30 percent of the taxes in New York City.... If only 1,500 of that 5,000 people move to Connecticut, that would cut 10 percent of our tax base, that's another $3.5 billion."

Yesterday, the Connecticut Working Families Party organized bus tours of AIG's Wilton office as well as the homes of various AIG executives, just as Connecticut Attorney General said, based information he received, the bonuses given by the bailed-out firm were around $218 million, $53 million more than previously reported. Protesters yelled "Bail out Main Street, not Wall Street" outside the office," while holding signs like "Dude, Where's My Life Savings?"

Today, the House of Representatives passed a bill, 328-93, that would put a 90% tax on bonuses from financial firms receiving bailout funds, such as AIG. One of the bill's cosponsors, Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Manhattan), who proposed a 100% tax earlier, said, "I’m proud that the House has taken action to return these bonuses to the federal treasury... It would be morally reprehensible and fiscally irresponsible to allow millions to go to those who cost our country billions. Bonuses should be based on creating value, not destroying it."

That expensive cocktail may get more expensive: State Assemblyman Felix Ortiz (D-Bronx) is proposing a tax on alcohol. NY1 reports that Oritz argues "most of the funds generated through the new tax would be used for alcohol and drug abuse treatment and education programs around the state" (those programs face cuts with the proposed budget). Previously, Ortiz has suggested banning alcohol ads on MTA properties, taxing strip clubs, and grading kids' weights.

After Rep. Anthony Weiner revealed his hesitance about running for mayor this fall, reporters asked Mayor Bloomberg if his wealth was intimidating to other potential candidates. The mayor, the 17th richest man in the world, is reportedly spending $80 million (or 0.5% of his wealth) on his campaign. Politicker NY, which has video of the extended answer, reports that Bloomberg said, "There’s no evidence to me that there are fewer candidates running... We don’t preclude you from running because you got a better education than I did or are better looking or more photogenic.” Related: The NY Times' Clyde Haberman explains Bloomberg's "we love rich people" remark by way of the Mayor's budget data that "show... people earning $500,000 or more a year make up 1 percent of New York taxpayers but account for nearly 50 percent of the income taxes that the city collects."

Mayor Bloomberg repeated a familiar refrain during his radio show on WOR yesterday: Why taxing the rich isn't a great idea. He said, "We can tax the rich, except that, if you haven't looked at the stock market lately, they aren't making any money."

In his weekly address, President Obama discussed the economy (of course) and made two points: First, that 95% of Americans will get a tax cut, because employers will withhold less taxes—"By April 1st, a typical family will begin taking home at least $65 more every month." And, second, he will outline steps to tackle the huge deficit, "On Tuesday, I will speak to the nation about our urgent national priorities, and on Thursday, I’ll release a budget that’s sober in its assessments, honest in its accounting, and that lays out in detail my strategy for investing in what we need, cutting what we don’t, and restoring fiscal discipline." Here's his address:

Sometimes its best to let the tabloids do what they do best—shower us with groan-worthy old man puns. Today the Post reports that Governor Paterson's proposed 4% tax on internet porn downloads is "rubbing the porn industry the wrong way." Not to be outdone, the Daily News, in an article titled, "Tax Proposal Awaits Climax in Albany," promises "this is the best tax you ever had." The Post even gets a quote from porn star Shawna Lenee, who opines, "We've had an adult industry in this country for decades, and now they want to tax us because of a deficit. That's not at all fair."

With tax day two months away, elected officials making sure to remind people about the Earned Income Tax Credit. City Councilman Eric Gioia took to the airwaves to say, "I want New Yorkers to know if you made under $43,000 last year and you have kids, you could qualify for thousands of dollars back... The average recipient receives $2,600 and you could qualify for over $6,000." About 250,000 New Yorkers qualify, and here's IRS info to see if you qualify—apparently childless workers can be eligible, too. During his weekly address, Mayor Bloomberg said that there are a number of tax assistance sites (some are free, some cost $20) set up to help people file their taxes— here are the locations— and promoted the $aveNYC accounts, where you can get free tax help and put your refund into a savings account.

As he grapples with a $15.4 billion budget deficit for this year and next, Governor Paterson voiced his opposition to taxing the rich. According to the Post, Paterson explained, "What I'm saying is if you tax the rich right now, while the economy is disintegrating, you're going to lose jobs and you're also going to lose from the tax base as people leave the state. In my opinion, you're [compounding] the problem, not eradicating it. I don't think that taxing the rich is the best way to go right now." (That's also a refrain Mayor Bloomberg has made.) On the other hand, Assembly Leader Sheldon Silver is all for taxing upper income brackets: In remarks to the United Teachers Federation, Silver said, "Clearly, as a state, we need to ask ourselves if the best way to balance the budget is to make deep cuts in our classrooms or to ask the wealthiest New Yorkers to contribute a little bit more?" Which makes the Legislature's and Paterson's apparent agreement on a budget (press conference happening in Albany now) more interesting!

It's been months since we last heard about Bloomberg's plastic bag tax plan, which was officially proposed last week—and since November the fee has gone down one cent (from 6 to 5 pennies). As the mayor seeks approval from Albany, CityRoom takes a closer look at some questionable figures estimating just how many plastic bags we use in the city.

State Health Commissioner Richard Daines has taken to YouTube to educate New Yorkers on the virtues of Governor Paterson's proposed "obesity tax," which would add an 18-percent tax on non-diet soda and other sugary drinks containing less than 70 percent real fruit juice. Sure, the video's no Ottomoman-Humping Gangbang, but we are in a recession, so we'll excuse the lackluster production values.

Governor Paterson introduced a budget, full of tax hikes and fees for things like regular soda, beer, movie tickets and online music downloads in addition to big cuts to education spending, to combat a $15.4 billion budget deficit this year and next. Many critics have argued that these taxes—aiming to raise $4 billion—are hitting regular people, and now Governor Paterson tells the NY Times the rich may be taxed.

In an effort to add to the state's coffers, Governor Paterson signed a law into bill that will "enforce the collection of excise taxes on cigarettes sold at Indian-owned stores." The bill requires manufacturers to have the state tax stamp on its tobacco products before selling them to retailers. The excise tax is $2.75, and it's expected that the bill will bring $400 million more in revenue. While, Indian tribes feel the move will hurt them, as smokers won't head to their stores to buy cigarettes any more, Governor Paterson pointed out the law has always stood, it just hasn't been "adequately applied for far too long" and gave" non-Indians easy access to tax-free cigarettes both on the reservations and over the internet." Mayor Bloomberg, who has sued over the untaxed cigarettes, is happy: "The bottom line is everybody should be paying taxes on cigarettes."

Yesterday, the Ravitch Commission released its recommendations for closing the MTA's budget gap. You can read the report here (PDF) or take a look at the highlights, which include: An 8% bus, subway and commuter train fare hike; adding tolls to the now-free Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Williamsburg Bridges as well as the Harlem RIver bridges (no toll booths, just EZ Pass or bills sent to drivers); and a "mobility tax" for employers in 12 counties "equal to one-third of one percent of wages ($330 per each $100,000 in payroll)," according to the Daily News.

Representative Charles Rangel is a just a magnet for media investigation these days! The NY Times questioned his four rent-stabilized apartments and, more recently, a large donation to a school being named after him; the Post found out about his vacation villa and unreported income from it. Now it's Politico which does some digging about campaign websites Rangel's son created for his dad.

Inquiries are being made both internally and externally following yesterday's report of Charles Rangel's latest tax headache--this time surrounding questions of Rangel taking an "homestead" tax break on his D.C. home by claiming it was his primary residence--while primarily residing in Harlem at the time. The Post reports that watchdog group National Legal and Policy Center is filing a House Ethics Committee complaint against the congressman. And Rangel's own lawyer announced that his (in)famous accountant will review the situation, telling the Times, “The New York Post has raised a question about the tax treatment of a property the Rangels once owned. The property was sold more than eight years ago and we have asked Congressman Rangel’s accountant to retrieve the records about it.”

Just days after Representative Charles Rangel was allowed to keep his chairmanship of the House Ways and Means Committee, the NY Post reports on another possible headache for the Harlem Congressman.

Will the plastic bag controversy ever end? With the recent news of Bloomberg pushing a plastic bag tax, The NY Times is the latest to take a look into the sordid grocery packaging habits of New Yorkers. Perhaps as some believe cigarettes should be, instead of a tax, they just need to be made illegal; even reusable grocery bag users are finding they accept a plastic bag here and there.

“I’d pick up 50 bags a week instead of 2 or 3 if I wasn’t conscious of it,” said Mr. Thrasher, 31, a freelance writer from Fort Greene, Brooklyn. “You’re always having a plastic bag put in your hand.”

On Monday Mayor Bloomberg announced a lawsuit against the Poospatuck Indian reservation on Long Island, in an attempt to stop the untaxed sale of 11.3 million cartons of cigarettes on the reservation per year. Today the Times has a great, long article about how the smokes travel from the wholesaler through the reservation and to the streets of New York, where "$5 Men" like "Paco" stand on corners and whisper, "Newports. Loosies. Shorts. Longs." Reporters at the reservation describe a booming business, where cigarette sales are made on a bustling main street and even out of residential trailers. One reporter saw a sign for Justin’s Smokes "on a tree outside a residential trailer. An occupant of the trailer ordered the reporter off the property, telling her it was not a cigarette shop. 'That’s just a sign on a tree,' the woman yelled."

The Con Edison training and conference facility in Long Island City, Queens has joined a small but growing family of buildings with green roofs, which absorb heat, reduce the need for air conditioning, and help improve air quality. According to the Sun, Con Edison projects that the green roof will save the building up to 30% in energy costs. There are now 21,000 plants atop the three-story facility, including 15 varieties of sedum, a shrub like plant typically found in desert climates which can absorb rainwater and is resistant to pests.

The Seneca Nation is pressuring Governor Paterson to veto a bill that would tax cigarette sales to non-Indians; officials estimate the tax could generate $400 million in revenue, and Mayor Bloomberg recently said that tax revenue could save us from MTA fare hikes. The tribes argue that treaties dating to the 19th century make them exempt from state sales taxes; greedy white man legislators insist that sales to non-Indians are taxable. The debate is happening against the backdrop of a looming $6.4 billion deficit, and the Sun reports that Paterson could sign the bill as early as next week. But Seneca lawyer Robert Odawi Porter warns that would hurt the tribe's employment of 5,000 people and other economic benefits for western New York: "The state still comes out ahead. It just doesn't go into the Albany trough."

That mayor Bloomberg has an answer for everything. Cabbies want a fuel surcharge to help cover gas costs? Let them drive hybrids. The MTA is promising another fare increase? Let the smokers pay for it. Hizzoner said yesterday that the cost of subway and bus rides won’t have to go up much at all if the state collects taxes on cigarettes sold on Indian reservations. "That just alone would replace one of those fare increases," Bloomberg told reporters, insisting that the tobacco revenue could plug a $700 million hole in the MTA’s budget.