Here's a statement released earlier today by New York City Comptroller Bill Thompson :
THOMPSON STATEMENT ON MAYOR'S BUDGET
New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. today issued the following statement after the mayor issued his budget address:
"As Comptroller I recognize that times are tough. At a time when more people are losing their jobs, their homes or healthcare, and they require more assistance from our great city, we face a shrinking budget and sharp cutbacks in support from the state. Simply put, there are no easy solutions.
However, the Mayor's plan would balance the budget on the backs of working people.
The Mayor's budget proposal relies far too heavily on a sales tax increase at a time when the city's hardworking families and small businesses are suffering.
Instead, I propose an increase in the city's personal income tax focused on high-income taxpayers earning more than $500,000 annually. Such an increase could sunset in better times.
As Barack Obama said yesterday, we all have a shared responsibility to get our economy going again, and we must take steps to get credit flowing again, reopen businesses, and put people back to work."
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To view the Mayor's Office press release on the financial plan, please use this link: Preliminary Budget Press Release
To download a copy of the City's 2009 Financial Plan, please use this link: 2009 Financial Plan
To view the Mayor's Financial Plan slideshow, please use this link: 2009 Budget Presentation Slideshow