NY Dems first order of business after re-taking the Senate – a tax increase!
ByHey New Yorkers – you get what you vote for. You wanted democrats in charge, and thanks to a crook named Espada you’re back to having democrats in charge. Via Astute Bloggers, NY 1 reports the New York Senate worked overnight to pass a flurry of bills.
After 31 days, the State Senate returned to work overnight, passing more than 100 bills, including a measure that allows the city to increase the sales tax.
Lawmakers passed the measure, 43-19, in the middle of the night.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg said that the move will allow him to end the hiring freeze he put in place earlier this week. He said the increased sales tax will provide the city with the revenue needed to begin hiring police officers, firefighters, and other personnel.
“The main thing was passing the sales tax so that we can now go ahead and I will unfreeze the hiring freeze that we had,” said Bloomberg. “We still have to watch. We still have problems down the road, so we’re not hiring willie-nillie.”
The State Senate stalemate ended yesterday the same way it began, with Bronx Democrat Pedro Espada Jr. switching sides, and in the process ending up being rewarded with a powerful leadership post.
Espada returned to the Democratic fold under a new agreement that makes him majority leader.
New York City today, the rest of New York tomorrow. Now that the Senate is back to work expect further tax hikes.
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