Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: October 23, 1996

Release #545-96

Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Deirdra L. Picou (212) 788-2971


MAYOR GIULIANI ADDRESSES BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS
AT THE STATEN ISLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LUNCHEON

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today addressed business and community leaders at the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce (SICC) at the Colombian Lyceum in Staten Island. Joining the Mayor were Staten Island Borough President Guy R. Molinari; Mark Muscaro, President, SICC; Mario Giammarco, Chairman, SICC Board of Directors; Commissioner Fred Cerullo, Department of Finance; Commissioner John Dougherty, Department of Sanitation; Council Member John Fusco, 50th District; Council Member Vito Fossella, 51st District; and Assemblyman Robert Straniere, 61st District.

"It's great to be back on Staten Island," said Mayor Gi\iuliani. "I was here just last night for a Town Hall Meeting at I.S. 75 and we discussed issues that matter most to Staten Islanders --Fresh Kills, education and transportation. Today I would like to focus on something that is of equal interest to Staten Islanders, and of special interest to the Chamber: the future of our economy.

"I am strongly committed to helping our City's business community grow and flourish, especially small and mid-sized businesses. We're working hard to assure that Staten Island participates fully in the economic expansion that is now under way in New York City. I know the business community of Staten Island faces special challenges," the Mayor continued.

"We have already made great progress in lowering business costs in New York. Last year we finally got rid of the commercial rent tax in Staten Island. Dumping this tax is already saving the average business almost $4,000 a year, with total savings to businesses of $288 million a year.

"We are also removing unnecessary business regulations" said Mayor Giuliani. "To date, seven business license categories, covering 15 types of businesses, have been eliminated --11 more categories have been targeted for elimination. And, next month, to expedite the issuance of remaining licenses, we are opening a "Citywide Licensing Center" to provide one-stop shopping for licenses and permits. We expect this new center to be as popular with business people as our new express service for building permits.

"To make New York City's business community more competitive we are also pushing for direct action in a key area of retail sales -- clothing and footwear," said the Mayor. "The State Legislature and Governor Pataki have approved a one-week State Sales Tax Exemption on clothing and footwear costing under $500. New York City could add to the effectiveness of this tax holiday by allowing the exemption of our local sales tax. The Tax Holiday Proposal will be reviewed by the City Council on October 30. Let's work together and help pass this important initiative."

Mayor Giuliani said, "There is a new spirit in New York City today, and new hope for the future. We have reduced crime -- it's down 37 percent. We have launched the most effective welfare reform program in the nation. We not only stopped the drain of 400,000 private sector jobs from the City which occurred during the prior administration. We are actually seeing the first positive job growth since the late 1980's, with the addition of 100,000 new jobs since 1993."

The Mayor concluded, "Thank you for your strong support in these effort. In closing, I would like to emphasize how important it is for Staten Island and our entire city to pass the Environmental Bond Act next month. Lets get Fresh Kills closed -- and help launch a new day for business and prosperity in Staten Island."



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