Thompson Says No to Sales Tax, Again
April 30th, 2009
When receiving the endorsement of several Manhattan assembly members this morning, comptroller turned mayoral candidate William Thompson Jr. said he would not support any sales tax increase in this year’s budget to deal with the crumbling economy.
“I think it falls disproportionately on working New Yorkers, middle income New Yorkers, on lower income New Yorkers,” said Thompson. “I am not in favor of the sales tax increase.”
Mayor Michael Bloomberg is expected to propose an increase in the sales tax tomorrow even higher than the .25 percent increase he suggested in January.
Thompson said he too would be coming out with recommendations to close the budget gap. Earlier this year, the comptroller suggested a millionaire’s tax — increasing the personal income tax for those who make more than $500,000 a year — but that proposal is unlikely to move since the state approved a similar measure.
Flanked by assembly members Deborah Glick and Micah Kellner, who endorsed the candidate this morning, Thompson railed against the administration for cutting funding for HIV/AIDS, including slashing case management staff and community based housing. Glick and Kellner said they were supportive of Thompson because he recognized social services were essential. Cutting them would end up costing the city more, they allege.
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