Thank you for this opportunity to present the opposition of the Queens
Chamber of Commerce to another outrageous water and sewer rate hike. The Queens
Chamber of Commerce represents thousands of businesses and firms of all sizes
that do business from and/ or in our vibrant borough. We look at the proposal
from a business perspective and expose the rate hike's true colors. The
proposed 14.5% hike stands out as 14.5% too much!
Water and Sewer hikes really function as tax hikes in all but name. The use of
so many millions of dollars to cover costs outside the water system and the
outrageous practice of the city charging itself rent to operate its water and
sewer system make clear how the water board functions as a cash cow for City
Hall. These practices must end....today!
City ratepayers previously paid real estate taxes to fund part of this system.
The shift to metering and the increases since did not result in a reduction in
taxes. To review water rates without consideration of overall taxes imposed in
New York City and the ongoing subsidy to the general fund provided by the
systems paints an inaccurate accounting of overall burdens paid by taxpayers and
ratepayers - one and the same.
Further hikes would also hurt the overall economy of the city at a most
inopportune time. In New York's current economic state, further water rate
gouges threaten most irreparable harm on a most fragile economy.
When the Water Board's capital program substantially results from federal and
some state mandates, Queens Chamber questions the apparent lack of any plans to
press for appropriate levels of aid from Albany and Washington to address what
those governments require of New York City.
It remains important to consider the views of the business community and
recognize the impacts of hiking water and sewer taxes – That's right taxes –
before continuing down the same of path of spend and spend when there just might
exist better means to achieve a safe delivery of clean water to New Yorkers.
Thank you.