Bloomberg's Answer To Fiscal Crisis Is To Punish The Middle Class

Supporters of Mayor Bloomberg's end run around democracy last month claim that they want someone that can steer us through bad financial times. Well he is definitely ready to act, but if you aren't a wealthy developer or real estate tycoon he might just crash the budget right through you. His proposals thus far to close the city's budget gap is to cut programs for those that have been slashed too much already.

From The NY Daily News:

His solution includes:

- Not only slashing 3,000 jobs but canceling the January Police Academy class.

- Chopping school-based budgets by 1.3% - $359 million - over the next two years.

- Rescinding the 7% property tax rate cut this year, pumping $576 million into the city's coffers.

- Erasing the $400 rebate, a savings of $256 million.

- Increasing fees and fines to generate $123 million.[...]

The bleeding will include shorter library hours, less training for firefighters and fewer child welfare supervisors and street cleaners.

Even with the layoffs and steep service slashes, Bloomberg said, the city still faces a $1.3 billion deficit in 2010.

The list of possibilities to recoup the cash, he said, includes repealing the sales tax exemption on clothing, raising income taxes by 7.5% or even 15% in January and more services cuts.

The proposed increase in personal income tax would hit the middle class, costing those who earn $50,000 to $90,000 about $116 to $356 more next year, according to City Hall's estimates.

Nothing in that bill has any effect on those who have plenty of money to weather the financial storm we are in. Every single item in there is meant to save Bloomberg's wealthy friends at the expense of those who are having trouble in these times. The truth is he really could care less about the residents of New York City, unless they are a part of the gentrification process or call the Plaza or the Pierre their second home.

So will the City Council play ball and bend over for the Mayor like twenty-nine of them did with the term limits fiasco? Quinn doesn't like what Bloomberg wants to do, but since she is the Mayor's official tool, I have no confidence in her to do anything right for her constituents on the west side or any side of our city. She has already proven her worthlessness to us as Speaker and better expect to be challenged for her seat next year, along with everyone else she helped get behind the Mayor with their arm-twisting and threats of taking away their precious lulu.