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Bloomberg Not Too Thrilled About Cuomo Raising Rich Folks' Taxes
By
John Del Signore
Published Dec 5, 2011
Modified Dec 5, 2011
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By
John Del Signore
Published Dec 5, 2011
Modified Dec 5, 2011
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At a press conference today, Mayor Bloomberg was asked his opinion about reports that Governor Cuomo is planning to make new tax brackets for rich people. Although the plan is far from finalized, Bloomberg tentatively shared some thoughts about taxes (before his press secretary intervened). "I think you have to look at everything, but fundamentally you cannot tax your ways out of problems," Bloomberg told reporters, according to City Room. "You’ve got to get your expenses under control and build the economic base so that if you have tax revenue increases they should come from expanded — an expanded economy, as opposed to expanded — to tax rates."
Asked specifically about his position on new tax brackets for the rich, Bloomberg demurred, explaining that he has not actually seen the governor's plan. And when Daily News reporter Reuven "Viane Delgado" Blau pressed the mayor for more about the lack of city pension reform in Cuomo's plan, spokesman Stu Loeser stepped in. "Have you seen the plan?" Loeser said sharply, according to City Room. "I’m just saying, just based on initial reports," Blau replied. "Have you seen the plan?" Loeser repeated, and that shut Blau up right quick.
Although Bloomberg is generally perceived as opposed to tax hikes, the Wall Street Journal notes that in 2002 he signed off on what is believed to be the largest tax hike in city history, a property tax increase of 18.49%. During his campaign, Cuomo vowed not to raise taxes, and he has resisted calls to renew the so-called Millionaire's Tax. The plan under consideration would still let that plan lapse, but anonymous officials tell the Times that high-income New Yorkers would be taxed at a higher rate than they would have been under existing tax brackets.
The proposal would also "lower the tax rate for middle-income earners and might include tax incentives for businesses," the Times hears. Cuomo told reporters yesterday, "Our goal in New York should be twofold: to fashion a job-creating economic plan, and to defy political gridlock like we see in Washington and make government work to actually implement the plan." Oh, so now he wants government to actually work to implement the plan, too?! Forget it Andy, it's Albany.
Tagged
class warfare
governor cuomo
mayor bloomberg
rich people things
taxes
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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