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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 28, 2009
STATEMENT OF STU LOESER, PRESS SECRETARY TO MAYOR MICHAEL BLOOMBERG, IN RESPONSE TO BROOKLYN STATE SENATOR JOHN SAMPSON NOT INCLUDING NEW YORK CITY'S SCHOOL GOVERNANCE AND CITY SALES TAX LEGISLATION ON LIST OF BILLS TO PASS

"Senator John Sampson stated today that passing taxes necessary to preserve essential city services and avoid layoffs and a bill that would prevent New York City schools from returning to chaos were controversial. They are not, and both enjoy the support of a bipartisan majority of State Senators. Both pieces of legislation - which already have the votes for passage - deserve to be brought to the floor for a vote. That's democracy, and if the City's budget and public schools continue to be held hostage to the Senate's gridlock, it will cause real harm to New York families and the health of our City."

New York City will lose over $60 million in revenue for the month of July if the State does not act, or over $2 million each day. To put the loss of $60 million in monthly revenue in perspective:

  • $60 million is New York City's cost to support 600 police officers every month.

  • Supporting the 198 FDNY Engine Companies and 143 Ladder Companies protecting New York City residents costs the City $52 million each month.

  • New York City spends $37 million subsidizing libraries and cultural institutions each month.

Every day New York City loses $2 million translates to:

  • 33 school buses, directly affecting over 1,300 elementary school students living between 0.5 miles and 1 mile from school, or

  • 54 full-time-equivalent CUNY adjunct staff (or 182 individual teachers), or
  • The monthly cost of keeping the City's 54 outdoor pools open, or

  • The annual cost of supporting the housing needs of 112 families, or

  • The monthly cost of 8,817 (out of the City's total 14,500) child abuse preventive slots, or

  • 4,000 child care vouchers for low-income families for one month

  • Meal delivery for over 17,000 low-income seniors for one month, or

  • The City's cost for operations of 80 of the City's 305 senior centers for one month.



MEDIA CONTACT:

Stu Loeser / Matt Gorton   (212) 788-2958





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