Bill de Blasio Will Push for Tax on Wealthy to Fix Subway

[Via Garibaldi 8]

N.Y. / REGION

 

Bill de Blasio Will Push for Tax on Wealthy to Fix Subway

 

By EMMA G. FITZSIMMONS

 

AUG. 6, 2017

 

Photo

Mayor Bill de Blasio, shown here on the A train, will announce a so-called millionaires tax on Monday for wealthy New York City residents to pay for subway and bus upgrades. CreditJosh Haner/The New York Times

 

Mayor Bill de Blasio plans to push for a tax on wealthy New Yorkers to pay for improvements needed to address the crisis engulfing New York City’s subway, city officials said on Sunday, the latest salvo in the battle between Mr. de Blasio and Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo over who bears responsibility for repairing the deteriorating transit system.

 

Mr. de Blasio will announce a so-called millionaires tax on Monday for wealthy New York City residents to pay for subway and bus upgrades. The proposal also includes funding to offer half-price MetroCards for low-income riders — part of a national movement that is gaining momentum in New York.

 

The mayor’s funding push comes as the subway is facing a multitude of problems, and leaders at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which operates the subway, have called on Mr. de Blasio to provide more moneyfor the system.

 

“Rather than sending the bill to working families and subway and bus riders already feeling the pressure of rising fares and bad service, we are asking the wealthiest in our city to chip in a little extra to help move our transit system into the 21st century,” Mr. de Blasio, a Democrat, said in a statement.

 

The tax changes would require approval from state lawmakers in Albany — a difficult task, with Republicans in control of the Senate, though the urgency of the subway’s decline has raised the stakes and captured the attention of both parties. The mayor’s proposal builds on an effort by State Senator Michael Gianaris, a Democrat of Queens, to tax the wealthy to support the subway, and a campaign by transit advocates to establish reduced fares for poor residents following a successful program in Seattle.

 

Mr. de Blasio and Mr. Cuomo, who have long had a strained relationship, have engaged in an acrimonious public skirmish over financing for public transit. Mr. Cuomo, a Democrat, controls the transportation authority, but he has called on Mr. de Blasio to help fix the system. Both leaders have been pressured to address the crisis, with worsening subway service hurting Mr. Cuomo’s approval rating among voters and Mr. de Blasio being targeted by a harsh television ad campaign by the subway workers union.

The new tax would raise about $700 million to $800 million per year, with more than $500 million going toward capital costs for subways and buses and about $250 million for the half-price MetroCard program, city officials said. It would increase the city’s highest income tax rate by about 0.5 percent, from about 3.9 percent to 4.4 percent, for married couples with incomes above $1 million and individuals who make more than $500,000.

City officials estimate that the tax would be paid by about 32,000 New York City tax filers, or less than 1 percent of those who file their taxes in the city. New Yorkers already contribute to the authority through various taxes and fees, and the city has committed $2.5 billion for the agency’s current capital improvement plan.

 

Mr. de Blasio’s plan comes with several demands, including that Mr. Cuomo keep his promise for the state to pay $8 billion toward the authority’s current capital plan and an additional $1 billion Mr. Cuomo committed for the subway in June. The new funding would also be separate from the authority’s short-term subway rescue plan, which city officials said should be paid for by returning money to the authority that the state had previously diverted.

 

Last month, the authority’s new chairman, Joseph J. Lhota, proposed a roughly $800 million plan for immediate repairs to turn around worsening subway service. Delays have skyrocketed on the century-old system, and several recent accidents have raised concerns about its safety.

The mayor’s embrace of half-price MetroCards for poor New Yorkers comes after months of lobbying from transit advocates and could be a popular proposal as Mr. de Blasio runs for re-election in November. About 800,000 people in New York City who are at or below the federal poverty level could qualify for half-price MetroCards, city officials said.

 

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/06/nyregion/bill-de-blasio-will-push-for-tax-on-wealthy-to-fix-subway.html

[Deucey]

I'm a liberal and I'm against this plan. Wealthy people and corporations should be paying more tax - that's a given with all the loopholes they exploit - but a) they'll finds way around this (ie offshoring money) and b) since failures affect everyone, everyone should pay. Taxing consumables via sales tax - adding pennies to the cost of beverages, foods, goods, etc - would provide more stable funding while getting everyone who comes into or is in the city (residents, tourists, LIers, New Jerseyians, etc) to pony up.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

I'm a liberal and I'm against this plan. Wealthy people and corporations should be paying more tax - that's a given with all the loopholes they exploit - but a) they'll finds way around this (ie offshoring money) and b) since failures affect everyone, everyone should pay. Taxing consumables via sales tax - adding pennies to the cost of beverages, foods, goods, etc - would provide more stable funding while getting everyone who comes into or is in the city (residents, tourists, LIers, New Jerseyians, etc) to pony up.

I just want to point out how full of **** this guy is.  Where's MHV at??  Just a few weeks ago, he stated that the City should not allot MORE money to the because the City had already provided $2.5 billion a few years ago, and made it clear that he thought Cuomo was the one responsible for the funding since he technically runs the show. Now that he's been pressured by the Union, see how his tune changes.  It's an election year, and if he tries to act like he's taking a hard line, he's afraid that voters will blame him in this mess too for not working to find a solution. 

 

He's also playing to his base.  What you're advocating for is a commuter tax, and that was killed by politicians on Long Island, New Jersey and elsewhere because they argued that their constituents were over taxed.  Adding a commuter tax on top of the LIRR, MNRR and NJT fares is absurd, especially for the service that suburban commuters are currently receiving.  I'm against this plan because I don't support reduced fare Metrocards in any way shape or form. It's already enough paying for the seniors (who rightfully have EARNED reduce fares by paying into the system).  Able-bodied people that are just collecting benefits and not paying into the system can pay their fair share.  What I would support however is a tourist tax of some sort. I am sick of these people coming here and taking.  They litter everywhere, make a mess that costs us more by way of hiring more sanitation and we should be getting some sort of benefit from them coming here.  Yes they contribute revenue for the City, but I don't think they pay nearly enough to come here. Let them pay more.

[Interested Rider]

It seems that I have heard the same  song from him many times over the past four years. At the same time, this paradigm of virtue is trying to force down the taxpayers throats another tax that will further drive more and more of the taxpayers out of the city as people of all income levels get fed up and move out. The rich can and will go anywhere and to see the impact of a tax such as this on a state, just look at Connecticut which has tried this same tactic and look what has happened to their fiscal situation. You reach a point where a tax becomes counter productive as the monies expected turn out to be far less and the shortfall has to be made up somewhere else. Then the question becomes where do you cut and the elitist mayor cannot (or does not want) to see what is coming down the pike in terms of cuts to his pet programs such as sanctuary cities which will further reduce funding for the police department. When the thinking is based not on reality but ideology, you get proposals like this that should not have seen the light of day.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

It seems that I have heard the same  song from him many times over the past four years. At the same time, this paradigm of virtue is trying to force down the taxpayers throats another tax that will further drive more and more of the taxpayers out of the city as people of all income levels get fed up and move out. The rich can and will go anywhere and to see the impact of a tax such as this on a state, just look at Connecticut which has tried this same tactic and look what has happened to their fiscal situation. You reach a point where a tax becomes counter productive as the monies expected turn out to be far less and the shortfall has to be made up somewhere else. Then the question becomes where do you cut and the elitist mayor cannot (or does not want) to see what is coming down the pike in terms of cuts to his pet programs such as sanctuary cities which will further reduce funding for the police department. When the thinking is based not on reality but ideology, you get proposals like this that should not have seen the light of day.

I keep saying this but we're already paying some of the highest taxes in the country. We've driven out hoards of our middle class, and there seems to be a push to enact things that favor those who pay basically nothing in taxes. If I'm a poor person and I'm not working, why would I if I know that my transportation is going to be paid for by the City, along with foodstamps and other goodies? I always point to Germany as an example. When the Germans were handing out checks, people stopped working and took the handout. When the government had enough and started taking a tough stand on giving out handouts, people got the message, which is that the government should not be responsible for paying your way forward. If you're disabled or something fine, but there are too many able-bodied people milking the system for handouts as it is. Until this administration gets it through their heads that more handouts beget more handouts, the situation will only worsen for those in higher tax brackets.

[RailRunRob]

I keep saying this but we're already paying some of the highest taxes in the country. We've driven out hoards of our middle class, and there seems to be a push to enact things that favor those who pay basically nothing in taxes. If I'm a poor person and I'm not working, why would I if I know that my transportation is going to be paid for by the City, along with foodstamps and other goodies? I always point to Germany as an example. When the Germans were handing out checks, people stopped working and took the handout. When the government had enough and started taking a tough stand on giving out handouts, people got the message, which is that the government should not be responsible for paying your way forward. If you're disabled or something fine, but there are too many able-bodied people milking the system for handouts as it is. Until this administration gets it through their heads that more handouts beget more handouts, the situation will only worsen for those in higher tax brackets.

You're an interesting guy I have to admit I'm having trouble understanding your point of view here. How is this a handout?   

[Interested Rider]

The mayor (and many of his cohorts in the political arena)  will never agree to cutting programs as they do not want to cause problems for their base who are dependent on all this money being thrown around for nothing and paid for the gainfully (unfortunately) employed who are the ones paying the taxes for these unnecessary programs that keep their minions quiet. What is they going to happen when the money runs out and then who will pay for these programs.when the very people who are paying for this cannot afford to pay their taxes?  We now have a $15 minimum wage (for example) being phased in that has shown to be a job destroyer of the worst kind (look at what is going in Seattle),which will cause some industries to automate (there goes more jobs) and a plethora of other programs that the mayor and  his surrogates on the City Council have pushed as necessary when they are not at all. What  are you offering us Mr. Mayor when it is becoming quite clear that programs that help pay for the police are going to be cut because you and your cohorts like to have a sanctuary city policy., Are you going to claim you need a tax to replace the federal funds that the city is losing because of your arrogant attitude that the program runs contrary to your ideology? 

I am tired of this arrogant self serving Socialist who now wants the taxpayers to pay his 13.5 million in legal fees that he had to spend because someone concluded that he did not violate the law. We'll that is their opinion and ours should be, you have the money, then go pay  for it yourself,and not from taxpayers funds. .

[Around the Horn]

 We now have a $15 minimum wage (for example) being phased in that has shown to be a job destroyer of the worst kind (look at what is going in Seattle),which will cause some industries to automate (there goes more jobs) and a plethora of other programs that the mayor and  his surrogates on the City Council have pushed as necessary when they are not at all. 

 

I'm willing to listen to your opinion on this, as long as you contribute facts...

 

The study that said the minimum wage increase was contributing negatively to Seattle's economy was called out for faulty research:

 

...Reich and his colleagues have done a significant portion of this research , recently studying cities with the highest minimum wage laws in the country, including Chicago, San Francisco, and Oakland. They've consistently found that higher wages boost worker pay and haven't led to either job loss or a slowdown in economic growth.

 

Employers see big benefits, too. Workers stay on the job longer, reducing turnover and training costs. They’re also significantly more productive, according to researchers studying wage increases in the United Kingdom.

 

There are big benefits for broader society as well. Poverty goes down, as does reliance on public assistance programs—one of the few things both Democrats and Republicans can agree is a net positive. Also improved are infant health and adult mental health outcomes, including a significant reduction in depression. (At a time when one in six Americans pops an anti-depressant every day, this seems particularly important.)

If so much research shows significantly raising the minimum wage has a major net-positive impact, what’s the story with the UW study?

 

One of the major limitations of the study, the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) points out, is that the data it analyzed excluded business with multiple locations, such as chain restaurants and big box retailers. So the 40% of employees they left out work at places like McDonald's, Best Buy, and other stores that rely heavily on the low-wage workers who got the actual boost. That is a highly significant oversight. 

 

The UW study also draws what the EPI calls "implausible findings." Since high-paying jobs went up during the period that low-paying jobs went down, the study implies that the minimum wage hike created better jobs for the rich at the expense of the poor. But this explanation fails to take into account the overall robustness and gentrification of Seattle's economy—a much more reasonable explanation for the disparity.

 

Given these flaws, it's no wonder that UW's findings diverge greatly from the broader body of research on this topic, much of which the UW researchers themselves cite.

http://fortune.com/2017/06/27/seattle-minimum-wage-study-results-impact-15-dollar-uw/

[RailRunRob]

The mayor (and many of his cohorts in the political arena)  will never agree to cutting programs as they do not want to cause problems for their base who are dependent on all this money being thrown around for nothing and paid for the gainfully (unfortunately) employed who are the ones paying the taxes for these unnecessary programs that keep their minions quiet. What is they going to happen when the money runs out and then who will pay for these programs.when the very people who are paying for this cannot afford to pay their taxes?  We now have a $15 minimum wage (for example) being phased in that has shown to be a job destroyer of the worst kind (look at what is going in Seattle),which will cause some industries to automate (there goes more jobs) and a plethora of other programs that the mayor and  his surrogates on the City Council have pushed as necessary when they are not at all. What  are you offering us Mr. Mayor when it is becoming quite clear that programs that help pay for the police are going to be cut because you and your cohorts like to have a sanctuary city policy., Are you going to claim you need a tax to replace the federal funds that the city is losing because of your arrogant attitude that the program runs contrary to your ideology? 

I am tired of this arrogant self serving Socialist who now wants the taxpayers to pay his 13.5 million in legal fees that he had to spend because someone concluded that he did not violate the law. We'll that is their opinion and ours should be, you have the money, then go pay  for it yourself,and not from taxpayers funds. 

What programs? Are you referring to? Base? are you saying the majority of the City is a nonworking population that's somehow solely relying on handouts? Asking a percentage of the population and Businesses that benefited from the City and its opportunities to give a little more to up keep infrastructure that helps ensure upward mobility for the next generation and them to continue to make money and keep the region strong sounds like Civic duty. A quarter of the US population is going to be out of work by 2040 due to automation it's already in motion you can't stop that. Socialist? The US middle class was built in part by social programs. The G.I bill being one. We can't tell the bouncer to close the doors after we get into the club. How quickly we forget. I'm not a fan of the Mayor I just don't understand the thinking in this convo. What have we accomplished to start passing judgment? Show me the numbers I'm not really into dinner or workplace beliefs and discussions. Not saying we're not entitled to our opinions but let's state it as such.          

[Via Garibaldi 8]

You're an interesting guy I have to admit I'm having trouble understanding your point of view here. How is this a handout?

 

You obviously didn't even read the article. This plan would tax the rich and also fund Metrocards for those that supposedly are too poor to afford the fare. The same people that can afford expensive Jordan sneakers Made in China and cell phones.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

I'm willing to listen to your opinion on this, as long as you contribute facts...

 

The study that said the minimum wage increase was contributing negatively to Seattle's economy was called out for faulty research:

 

http://fortune.com/2017/06/27/seattle-minimum-wage-study-results-impact-15-dollar-uw/

Oh please. You don't need to do a study to see that paying low-skilled people $15 an hour to flip a burger is a job killer. These big corporations are already adjusting and will be phasing out some of those jobs very soon via automation, so people like you will have to compete for the already scarce summer jobs that should be worked by youth, but instead are being worked by grown-ups trying to support their families. The whole thing is warped. These people could never afford to live here and this administration is trying to create the privilege for them to do so. Listen, there are cheaper places to live. If they can't afford NYC, then move elsewhere. These same people will continue to collect whatever benefits they can because the $15 an hour still won't be enough. That's basically $31,200 a year, assuming they even work or are paid 40 hours a week for 52 weeks. That's nothing. You can't afford any apartment with that and you'd be lucky to even get a room to share with roommates, so while this may seem great, it still does NOTHING but inflate wages for jobs that aren't worth a $15/hr hourly wage.

[RailRunRob]

You obviously didn't even read the article. This plan would tax the rich and also fund Metrocards for those that supposedly are too poor to afford the fare. The same people that can afford expensive Jordan sneakers Made in China and cell phones.

Guy come on. What Teens and 21 year ago's that buy those Tennis shoes. What the phones that you pay $14.99 a month for. Get off it.

I see working single Mothers that don't have the extra $103 a month for a Metro Card to get to work. I could say the same thing for my tax money going to Ohio or New Hampshire to help someones rehab but I don't because it's called empathy. Even for people and situations, I don't fully understand. Positive intent should be the starting point.   

[Via Garibaldi 8]

Guy come on. What Teens and 21 year ago's that buy those Tennis shoes. What the phones that you pay $14.99 a month for. Get off it.

I see working single Mothers that don't have the extra $103 a month for a Metro Card to get to work. I could say the same thing for my tax money going to Ohio or New Hampshire to help someones rehab but I don't because it's called empathy. Even for people and situations, I don't fully understand. Positive intent should be the starting point.

 

What world do you live in that you can't see that some people receiving handouts are doing so because their priorities are a mess? I see it all of the time. These people have the latest this and that but yet they're getting all sorts of assistance. It happens all of the time with people gaming the system and still does. You see people arrested all the time for fraud collecting foodstamps and other benefits and misrepresenting their earnings. Your empathy is nativity because you don't see past the BS that some of these people are full of. Yes there are people that are legitimately struggling but please come off of the sob story BS routine because any New Yorker knows the real deal. There's a genuine need and there's those who are ripping off the system for their own personal gain.

[RailRunRob]

What world do you live in that you can't see that some people receiving handouts are doing so because their priorities are a mess. I see it all of the time. These people have the latest this and that but yet they're getting all sorts of assistance. It happens all of the time with people gaming the system and still does. You see people arrested all the time for fraud collecting foodstamps and other benefits and misrepresenting their earnings. Your empathy is nativity because you don't see past the BS that some of these people are fill of. Yes there are people that are legitimately struggling but please come off of the sob story BS routine because any New Yorker knows the real deal. There's a genuine need and there's those who are ripping off the system for their own personal gain.

Good sir, you haven't done enough yet to point anything out. You do what millions of New Yorkers every year pay taxes.  When you start gaining some assets,own some dirt,start cutting some checks and most of all start paying taxes in the tens of thousands and have the IRS in your pockets every 90 days then we can have the convo.. Man, you sure you don't work for the State? Caseworker, Auditor? Sure there's some ripping the system I don't believe its as often as you make it out to be. If anyone wants to keep his money it's me. I don't want to hear the there taking from me routine. Trust you take more than you give as do I but I'm trying to push forward and give opportunity.    

[Via Garibaldi 8]

Good sir, you haven't done enough yet to point anything out. You do what millions of New Yorkers every year pay taxes.  When you start gaining some assets,own some dirt,start cutting some checks and most of all start paying taxes in the tens of thousands and have the IRS in your pockets every 90 days then we can have the convo.. Man, you sure you don't work for the State? Caseworker, Auditor? Sure there's some ripping the system I don't believe its as often as you make it out to be. If anyone wants to keep his money it's me. I don't want to hear the there taking from me routine. Trust you take more than you give as do I but I'm trying to push forward and give opportunity.

 

Excuse me but I run a department and we were audited last year, not to mention I have my own side business, so I know all about taxes. As I said before I pay more than you likely do because I don't have a wife and kids yet, so you get that tax break. You make yourself sound like you're so much more knowledgeable than me. Makes me laugh. I generate hundreds of thousands of dollars ever year by myself for my department running part of a small business so I know very well what you're talking about. You however are clearly guillible to believe that the fraud is so low. I'm trying to contain myself from laughing.

[bobtehpanda]

Oh, wonderful, another diatribe for/against poor people.

 

To get back on topic, this didn't work out when he tried paying for pre-K, how is this supposed to work for the MTA? This is actually smart on BdB's part, because he will likely somehow obtain equivalent funding from the State for this because the media optics of this look good (which is what happened with funding universal pre-K).

 

We do need more rich taxes, but that should mostly be in the form of a higher tax rate on vacant investment properties and vacation apartments. Vancouver did that and saw its housing market cool down from insane heights.

[CenSin]

I'm a liberal and I'm against this plan. Wealthy people and corporations should be paying more tax - that's a given with all the loopholes they exploit - but a) they'll finds way around this (ie offshoring money) and b) since failures affect everyone, everyone should pay. Taxing consumables via sales tax - adding pennies to the cost of beverages, foods, goods, etc - would provide more stable funding while getting everyone who comes into or is in the city (residents, tourists, LIers, New Jerseyians, etc) to pony up.

I agree to taxing take out and beverages only because these items often end up on MTA property as trash between the tracks.

[CenSin]

I see working single Mothers that don't have the extra $103 a month for a Metro Card to get to work.

Single mothers are another social problem with plenty of blame to lay on the parties involved and the culture they subscribe to. But that’s a whole new can of worms…

 

it's called empathy.

While I have not developed a solid position against empathy, I think empathy is not always good.

 

A side note to this: “gutmenschs” and slacktivists come to mind, but I don’t know if it applies here.

[RailRunRob]

Excuse me but I run a department and we were audited last year, not to mention I have my own side business, so I know all about taxes. As I said before I pay more than you likely do because I don't have a wife and kids yet, so you get that tax break. You make yourself sound like you're so much more knowledgeable than me. Makes me laugh. I generate hundreds of thousands of dollars ever year by myself for my department running part of a small business so I know very well what you're talking about. You however are clearly guillible to believe that the fraud is so low. I'm trying to contain myself from laughing.

Even better then you know better!  Every system is imperfect somethings going to slip through. No different than when you at the books and there are account receivables not paid (Bad debt expense) It's a part of the game you know you're going to take a loss somewhere. More knowledgeable? What are you talking about? This is yes or no not gray area's here. I'm simply asking  Do you own your business, do you own or do you rent? are you creating opportunities? How are you contributing? At some point, you have to back your point of view with something tangible. I hear you but honestly, I'm asking myself what makes your point more valid and where's the proof and how is he adding to the bottom line? What's tangible? If there's nothing why should we listen? It's logical right?   Gullible huh? I'd like to think more adaptable, adept, versed I always start at 100% and work my way down. Maybe you should start talking to people in this so call group you're speaking of and get a better understanding of what's going on might give you some insight. As I said this has nothing to do knowing more it's show and prove. If Elon,Tim Cook or Jeremy England had some concerns with people beating the system im all ears. There proven you and I thats another case.        

[Via Garibaldi 8]

Even better then you know better!  Every system is imperfect somethings going to slip through. No different than when you at the books and there are account receivables not paid (Bad debt expense) It's a part of the game you know you're going to take a loss somewhere. More knowledgeable? What are you talking about? This is yes or no not gray area's here. I'm simply asking  Do you own your business, do you own or do you rent? are you creating opportunities? How are you contributing? At some point, you have to back your point of view with something tangible. I hear you but honestly, I'm asking myself what makes your point more valid and where's the proof and how is he adding to the bottom line? What's tangible? If there's nothing why should we listen? It's logical right?   Gullible huh? I'd like to think more adaptable, adept, versed I always start at 100% and work my way down. Maybe you should start talking to people in this so call group you're speaking of and get a better understanding of what's going on might give you some insight. As I said this has nothing to do knowing more it's show and prove. If Elon,Tim Cook or Jeremy England had some concerns with people beating the system im all ears. There proven you and I thats another case.        

Any independent contractor technically runs their own business, so the answer is yes.  I consult privately on the side, and run my own department full-time, providing jobs for other people.  I oversee all projects from start to finish, am involved with all costs and budgets associated with each project, as well as coordinating with AP to ensure all jobs are paid and on budget.  I've been at it now for a number of years (started in my early twenties holding managerial positions) so I must be doing something right.  The only person I answer to is the owner of the company in terms of my job performance and how I plan on generating more income for the company, but I handle all decisions and hire and fire who I want for each job. The only thing I do is occasionally run things by the boss when I feel she needs to be involved, but I run the show otherwise, so while I don't own the company, I do a lot of things that an owner would do.  As for my own side thing, that's something I've been running well for the last few years as well.  Either way though, I don't think any of this is that relevant.  There are so many people that have their own business (regardless of how small or large, a business is a business), and a lot of people work for themselves with no employees, so there's that.  That still has no bearing on the tax situation that we're discussing.  You're free to have compassion for people that may be freeloading, but I can say right now that this tax can be worked around.  The people that will be affected can simply move elsewhere or find other loopholes to keep their money from the City, so as far as I'm concerned this is nothing more than a political ploy to make the mayor look as if he is doing something big before an upcoming election.

 

As for this so-called "group" they exist.  If they didn't exist, we wouldn't be having this conversation about reduced fare Metrocards for them.  Leaving them out of this conversation for a moment, I don't see anything that stops the City from using these monies for other things under the guise of a tax for better transit.

[RailRunRob]

Oh, wonderful, another diatribe for/against poor people.

 

To get back on topic, this didn't work out when he tried paying for pre-K, how is this supposed to work for the MTA? This is actually smart on BdB's part, because he will likely somehow obtain equivalent funding from the State for this because the media optics of this look good (which is what happened with funding universal pre-K).

 

We do need more rich taxes, but that should mostly be in the form of a higher tax rate on vacant investment properties and vacation apartments. Vancouver did that and saw its housing market cool down from insane heights.

I agree on the properties. Thanks for throwing the life vests we needed saving. 

Single mothers are another social problem with plenty of blame to lay on the parties involved and the culture they subscribe to. But that’s a whole new can of worms…

 

While I have not developed a solid position against empathy, I think empathy is not always good.

 

A side note to this: “gutmenschs” and slacktivists come to mind, but I don’t know if it applies here.

I mean there is no right or wrong really (Shrug) what does it all mean? But the flaw is in society we judge based on the premise that everyone starts off with the same information and the same views as if there's a booklet from birth. The question is can I judge when the person on the other side isn't even aware? or lacks information?  is that person choosing there way of doing things it's optional or is that all they know.  And how do I know when I view the world from my point of reference and haven't seen anything else. That's honestly the point of my comments. Empathy is an important value. America preaches these core values innocent until proven guilty. If it's BS let's call it that! Are we doing Laissez-Faire now I can work that system as well. Fully versed in the Ayn Rand school of thought.  What do I teach my kids? What's the future of our City and Country if we start down that road?

[Via Garibaldi 8]

Oh, wonderful, another diatribe for/against poor people.

 

To get back on topic, this didn't work out when he tried paying for pre-K, how is this supposed to work for the MTA? This is actually smart on BdB's part, because he will likely somehow obtain equivalent funding from the State for this because the media optics of this look good (which is what happened with funding universal pre-K).

 

We do need more rich taxes, but that should mostly be in the form of a higher tax rate on vacant investment properties and vacation apartments. Vancouver did that and saw its housing market cool down from insane heights.

It's turned into another diatribe for/against poor people because that buffoon de Blasio wants to tax those with more to pay for the poor, and now you have people actually believing this nonsense. This has to pass the Senate, and I don't see it having a real chance with the Republicans in control, so again, a lot of talk at the moment.

[RailRunRob]

Any independent contractor technically runs their own business, so the answer is yes.  I consult privately on the side, and run my own department full-time, providing jobs for other people.  I oversee all projects from start to finish, am involved with all costs and budgets associated with each project, as well as coordinating with AP to ensure all jobs are paid and on budget.  I've been at it now for a number of years (started in my early twenties holding managerial positions) so I must be doing something right.  The only person I answer to is the owner of the company in terms of my job performance and how I plan on generating more income for the company, but I handle all decisions and hire and fire who I want for each job. The only thing I do is occasionally run things by the boss when I feel she needs to be involved, but I run the show otherwise, so while I don't own the company, I do a lot of things that an owner would do.  As for my own side thing, that's something I've been running well for the last few years as well.  Either way though, I don't think any of this is that relevant.  There are so many people that have their own business (regardless of how small or large, a business is a business), and a lot of people work for themselves with no employees, so there's that.  That still has no bearing on the tax situation that we're discussing.  You're free to have compassion for people that may be freeloading, but I can say right now that this tax can be worked around.  The people that will be affected can simply move elsewhere or find other loopholes to keep their money from the City, so as far as I'm concerned this is nothing more than a political ploy to make the mayor look as if he is doing something big before an upcoming election.

 

As for this so-called "group" they exist.  If they didn't exist, we wouldn't be having this conversation about reduced fare Metrocards for them.  Leaving them out of this conversation for a moment, I don't see anything that stops the City from using these monies for other things under the guise of a tax for better transit.

VG, as a society we're all benefiting more than, were giving for the most part. You use a phone that's using a processor that's on the nanometer scale you didn't help in the miniaturization but you benefit. We weren't there countless hours it took the team god knows where to create the vaccine for smallpox or polio but hey we benefited. Again I'm not saying give anyone a free pass here. I never came across a person that didn't want to do better for their self's when presented with the opportunities to do so. Did I see the story of Hasidic community perhaps taking advantage of the system yeah I did! But I also saw the story of NYPD and FDNY possibly taking advantage as well with disability and that system. People are going to game the system there no way around that. What's the fraud number's 5,10% 20 %tops? I'll take an 80/20. What's the difference from 3rd generation Welfare recipients in Cheyenne WY or paying for some guys Opioid addiction treatment shouldn't he had known better? Or the F35's hundred year development shouldn't that been better spent? Our money funding it.  A few Metro cards for transportation doesn't seem that bad. Look we shouldn't get to carried away let's look at the numbers let's understand that's going on. As far as the bearing on the tax situation don't you think people putting more into the system should have more say? What are we talking about? I hear you with your responsibilities you're doing all the things an Owner would do besides Own and pull in Owner money and equity. Okay !! Listen I'd love to have on this side let me know if you're looking for new opportunities and I'm not trying to be funny that's dedication your a better man then me.   

[Via Garibaldi 8]

VG, as a society we're all benefiting more than, were giving for the most part. You use a phone that's using a processor that's on the nanometer scale you didn't help in the miniaturization but you benefit. We weren't there countless hours it took the team god knows where to create the vaccine for smallpox or polio but hey we benefited. Again I'm not saying give anyone a free pass here. I never came across a person that didn't want to do better for their self's when presented with the opportunities to do so. Did I see the story of Hasidic community perhaps taking advantage of the system yeah I did! But I also saw the story of NYPD and FDNY possibly taking advantage as well with disability and that system. People are going to game the system there no way around that. What's the fraud number's 5,10% 20 %tops? I'll take an 80/20. What's the difference from 3rd generation Welfare recipients in Cheyenne WY or paying for some guys Opioid addiction treatment shouldn't he had known better? Or the F35's hundred year development shouldn't that been better spent? Our money funding it.  A few Metro cards for transportation doesn't seem that bad. Look we shouldn't get to carried away let's look at the numbers let's understand that's going on. As far as the bearing on the tax situation don't you think people putting more into the system should have more say? What are we talking about? I hear you with your responsibilities you're doing all the things an Owner would do besides Own and pull in Owner money and equity. Okay !! Listen I'd love to have on this side let me know if you're looking for new opportunities and I'm not trying to be funny that's dedication your a better man then me.   

lol... I'd say it's a bit more than just a "few" Metrocards.  The spending for such a program is estimated at $250 million annually.  I can think of a bunch of better ways to use that money to improve the system. How about using that money to hold the fare for ALL riders instead of giving out those reduced fare Metrocards? If the City can allocate $700 million annually to the system, that is a lot of money to use for improvements, not including what the State would provide.

 

 

VG, as a society we're all benefiting more than, were giving for the most part. You use a phone that's using a processor that's on the nanometer scale you didn't help in the miniaturization but you benefit. We weren't there countless hours it took the team god knows where to create the vaccine for smallpox or polio but hey we benefited. Again I'm not saying give anyone a free pass here. I never came across a person that didn't want to do better for their self's when presented with the opportunities to do so. Did I see the story of Hasidic community perhaps taking advantage of the system yeah I did! But I also saw the story of NYPD and FDNY possibly taking advantage as well with disability and that system. People are going to game the system there no way around that. What's the fraud number's 5,10% 20 %tops? I'll take an 80/20. What's the difference from 3rd generation Welfare recipients in Cheyenne WY or paying for some guys Opioid addiction treatment shouldn't he had known better? Or the F35's hundred year development shouldn't that been better spent? Our money funding it.  A few Metro cards for transportation doesn't seem that bad. Look we shouldn't get to carried away let's look at the numbers let's understand that's going on. As far as the bearing on the tax situation don't you think people putting more into the system should have more say? What are we talking about? I hear you with your responsibilities you're doing all the things an Owner would do besides Own and pull in Owner money and equity. Okay !! Listen I'd love to have on this side let me know if you're looking for new opportunities and I'm not trying to be funny that's dedication your a better man then me.   

lol... I'd say it's a bit more than just a "few" Metrocards.  I think the spending for such a program would easily go into the millions.  

[RailRunRob]

lol... I'd say it's a bit more than just a "few" Metrocards.  The spending for such a program is estimated at $250 million annually.  I can think of a bunch of better ways to use that money to improve the system. How about using that money to hold the fare for ALL riders instead of giving out those reduced fare Metrocards? If the City can allocate $700 million annually to the system, that is a lot of money to use for improvements, not including what the State would provide.

 

 

lol... I'd say it's a bit more than just a "few" Metrocards.  I think the spending for such a program would easily go into the millions.  

250 Million vs 1.5 Trillion GDP (GMP)?