5 Bronx State Senators Urge Cuomo to Maintain Income Tax for Wealthy

Twenty state senators, including five representing the Bronx, are urging Gov. Cuomo to keep an income tax surcharge for wealthy New Yorkers. In a press release, they wrote ...

Given the fact that the federal government extended the Bush-era high-income tax cuts, it’s fair to question whether we should be giving the wealthiest New Yorkers a state tax cut too. During these difficult financial times sacrifices must be shared by all. Should wealthy New Yorkers really receive two tax cuts?

The senators representing the Bronx who signed the letter are Gustavo Rivera, Jose M. Serrano, Ruth Hassell-Thompson, Adriano Espaillat and Ruben Diaz, Sr. For the full release, click here. They say keeping the tax would generate a more than $1 billion the next fiscal year, and more than $4 billion the year after.

The Partnership for New York City, a business group, believes the tax hurts the non-wealthy. In this Post article, Kathryn Wylde, head of the groups, says it's "two-income families struggling to maintain a middle class existence in a high-cost region," that will be negatively affected. The Partnership put out a report on the subject that can be found in the "Reports" section of of their website.

What do you think? Just click the comment button below.

Ed. note: A reader rightly points out in the comments section that Adriano Espaillat represents part of the Bronx. So, we've changed the post from the original to reflect that. 

New Kingsbridge Armory Task Force, A Team of 'Heavy Hitters,' Diaz Says

Earlier today, Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. and City Councilman Fernando Cabrera announced a big-name lineup of "heavy hitters" to serve on a task force that they hope will come up with a new plan to put the massive and long-vacant Kingsbridge Armory to use for the community.

With this task force, which the borough president first mentioned (with very few details) at his State of the Borough speech earlier this month, Diaz and Cabrera are trying to reignite the push to redevelop the Armory, which has been vacant since 1994.

In December, much to Mayor Bloomberg's chagrin, the City Council, with the strong support of Diaz, shot down a proposal to turn the Armory into a retail shopping mall. Less than a month ago, Bloomberg told the Daily News that he doubted the Armory would be developed in his lifetime.

"There's this notion that the armory will stay vacant for the next decade," Diaz said. "But there's no reason why we can’t work together [with the Mayor] and put out another RFP [Request for Proposals].'

The 10-member task force is made up of people with wildly diverse backgrounds, from a community board member to a former Republican state official.

"I wanted a committee with folks that are respected citywide and statewide," Diaz said in an interview this afternoon.

At first glance: mission accomplished.