“Today’s action by Albany will be a shot in the arm to the redevelopment of Lower Manhattan and another example of this administrations commitment to Downtown.  The package of economic incentives will mean jobs and development downtown, without disadvantaging the rest of our City. I want to thank Governor Pataki, Speaker Silver and Majority Leader Bruno for hard work in ensuring that Lower Manhattan will remain a vibrant 24-hour neighborhood.  

“The construction of new Yankee and Mets Stadiums will mean thousands of new jobs, the rekindling of New York’s Olympic dreams and first-rate facilities in Queens and the Bronx for the Mets and Yankees which will be built primarily with private funds.  I thank Albany for their quick turnaround on these vital economic development projects.

“The approval of our reduction in the sales tax on clothing and footwear under $110 will be greatly appreciated by hardworking New Yorkers.  They deserve a break on this regressive tax and I am pleased that the Council and Albany agree. No longer will New Yorkers have to choose between shopping outside the City or paying more for necessary items like shoes and clothes.

“Finally, the Legislature has agreed to our plan to increase the threshold for the Senior Citizens Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) program and expand it to the disabled as well as to provide property tax relief to small homeowners who do substantial renovations.  I applaud our legislative leaders and Governor for their commitment to assisting the elderly, the disabled - including veterans- and those who invest in rebuilding our City’s neighborhoods.”