Submitted by Larry Littlefield, Dec 12, 2007 08:33

So it's official. Mayor Bloomberg is in favor of special tax handouts to curry favor with narrow constituencies in every boom, followed by higher tax rates to stick it to people in general in every bust. The property tax rate is higher than it was, but he gets to send already-privileged homeowners a $400 check. Why not raise it another 20% and send an $800 check?

As for the sales tax, need I remind people that the city no longer taxes clothing? I read that with the cost of clothing so much lower, and much of it coming from China, people are buying and thowing away twice as much per capita as 20 years ago. Do we need higher taxes on something else to subsidize that?

Don't tell me about competition with New Jersey. The State of New Jersey is going to be bankrupt in a few years and operating under a control board of its own.

Is there any politician anywhere willing to stand up for any kind of equity? The higher tax rate should expire, and the city should expand the tax base instead. In fact, the base should be expanded to include services, and the rate cut even further.

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