Reminder of Revenue

I’ll begin with a practical reminder that Alternate Side Parking regulations are back in effect until September 5th. I’m guessing this is because the Mayor read our letter suggesting he layout month to month schedules for ASP.

I’ll begin with a practical reminder that Alternate Side Parking regulations are back in effect until September 5th. I’m guessing this is because the Mayor read our letter suggesting he layout month to month schedules for ASP.

While we wait for, but aren't assured of federal aid , the state is looking at various policy options to close the budget gap. It’s important to note, as Governor Cuomo said last week, the money has to “ come from somewhere .” The preference is, of course, for the federal government to pass some version of the HEROES Act , owing to its ability to run necessary deficits to supply disaster relief. However, if that is not to come, closing the budget gap doesn’t have to be done on the backs of those who can least afford it.

Instead, there are legislative proposals to do so by increasing taxes on New York State's wealthiest, commonly referred to as billionaires. New York’s 118 billionaires have seen their net worth increase by $77 billion since coronavirus hit the United States. Those gains, coming in just three months, are more than five times the size of the state’s entire projected budget shortfall of $14 billion. 

While there is always the prospect that they may abandon the state, this has not happened in the past or elsewhere to any significant degree . What is this risk weighed against whether working people can afford to get to work?

Anyway, I’ll disembark from my soapbox and wish you a great Monday, and hopefully, you check out the items, including coverage of a letter we wrote , below.

This is the web archive of a newsletter originally sent by email to Brooklyn Community Board 6 subscribers on Monday, August 3, 2020. The email edition may contain additional event listings and links.