Friday, July 5, 2013

Weiner wants freedom from Albany

From the New York World:

Mayoral candidate Anthony Weiner lived up to his reputation as a quixotic lawmaker as he unveiled an ambitious roadmap to take power back from Albany.

Through his “City Bill of Rights,” unveiled on a dark blue carboard placard mounted on a wooden stand, Weiner vowed that if elected mayor he would slash the power of the state capital over New York City on a range of issues that have long remained out of the hands of frustrated city lawmakers.

He vowed to attempt to reclaim New York City’s power to make decisions affecting some essential functions of government, including taxation, rent regulation, the MTA and charter school authorization.

His proposal echoed a position he previously staked out in “Keys to the City,” a policy document he introduced before entering the mayoral race in May.

“Every 4th of July we should not only think about the independence of our country, but we should think a little bit about the independence of New York City from the shackles of Albany,” he said next to the steps of City Hall, noting that he had, for effect, carefully chosen the national celebration as his time to pick a fight with Albany.

Weiner singled out giving New York City authority to raise and lower taxes as his day-one priority. Currently, changes in the city’s income, sales and business taxes must first get the nod of the state Legislature.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don't like Weiner, but this concept is definitely on the right track. We are too unique from the rest of NY State in our needs and revenue to allow so much control to fall into decisions made by reps far removed.

Anonymous said...

The windbag is at it again. Go away Tony.

Anonymous said...

The question is:

Which corrupt entity do we reaaly need independence from...
New York City or New York State?

Choose your poison...carefully!

Anonymous said...

Right there he has my vote!

There is NO good reason why out laws regulations should be controlled by that insular nest of crooks and hicks in Upstate NY.

It is bad enough that we support them -we don't need their meddling.

Really, a bizarre, antiquated system of "tail wags dog".

Anonymous said...

Just made up my mind who I'm voting for. Was never a fan of Weiner, but he's right.

Anonymous said...

Good idea, but its political grandstanding. nothing like it would ever happen.

Anonymous said...

New York City or New York State?

Choose your poison...carefully!
----------------------

New York City takes city money and wastes it in the city. The state takes city money and wastes it elsewhere.

Anonymous said...

New York City takes city money and wastes it in the city. The state takes city money and wastes it elsewhere.
_______________________________________________________________
Gotcha. The Stashitsky Dry Cleaning and Money Laundering business must be doing well in this bad economy.

Anonymous said...

Ask Tony why this wasn't on his agenda in the past?
Like so many ideas he has preached about while he held various offices, not one has been delivered.
Oh, and let's not forget when he allowed the MTA to take away the $25million earmarked for the Forest Hills 71 Av Subway station renovations some 12 years ago while he sat on the Congressionl Transportation Board.
Yes Tony, we understand that Park Slope ended up getting their stations repaired instead.
I don't trust him. He's full of hot air just like the rest of them.

Anonymous said...

And he will be leading a parade of unicorns bearing over-sized "Vote for Weiner" signs on a flying carpet before that happens.

Anonymous said...

Anon No. 9:

The MTA didn't take the money away from 71st Avenue to give to Park Slope - the Governor and the State Legislature took the money away from the MTA.

Deke DaSilva said...

Weiner singled out giving New York City authority to raise and lower taxes as his day-one priority.

Very funny!

When's the last time a Democrat lowered taxes?