Would you pay .25 sales tax to finance capital projects in NYC selected by vote? (income, price)

[bmwguydc]

I agree that the agencies responsible for transit need transparency, and some of the "perks" should be canceled before raising taxes again to fund new projects, supporting the black box economics that is the transit system. And, I don't mean taking anything from the rank and file workers, who are just as sick of the inefficiency and bureaucracy of the system as a whole.

I would actually not be averse to temporary special zone property tax assessment districts, and/or a transportation tax line item to the hotel taxes, as well, provided they are reasonable, and that said taxes work with public-private joint ventures, sponsorships, etc. to get increase revenue. But the property tax would not work with regulated units, so it would be a dead issue, because the landlord could not charge increased rent for special use transportation assessment funding within the district that would benefit those living in/relocating to an area that would receive transportation infrastructure improvements.

[Airborneguy]

I'd be all for taxation that produces results. The problem is, it never does. I'll support taxation when agencies like the Port Authority are disbanded and politicians like Pedro Espada aren't being voted in by neighborhoods full of people who believe citizens like me should be subsidizing their lives.

[DarkWolf]

The PA doesn't use Tax $$$....it uses Toll $$$ and Airport and port Fees....

[Airborneguy]

Semantics. And only semantics because of the structure of PA which allows it to be bi-state and accountable to no one. If that wasn't the case, I wouldn't even call it semantics and just define those tolls as straight taxation. Used properly, tolls pays for the services rendered on the highways, bridges, tunnels etc. that they are levied upon. PA tolls pay for multi-million dollar black hole real estate bungles and excessive salaries for entry-level positions.

You'll be hard pressed to find a Staten Islander who has anything nice to say about the PA (unless they work for the agency of course). We're forced to pay their tolls to have access to the mainland with ZERO free options and no resident discount. Our wonderful governor was all for the Gil Hodges Bridge discount though for those poor Queens residents of course.

[DarkWolf]

Originally Posted by Airborneguy

Semantics. And only semantics because of the structure of PA which allows it to be bi-state and accountable to no one. If that wasn't the case, I wouldn't even call it semantics and just define those tolls as straight taxation. Used properly, tolls pays for the services rendered on the highways, bridges, tunnels etc. that they are levied upon. PA tolls pay for multi-million dollar black hole real estate bungles and excessive salaries for entry-level positions.

You'll be hard pressed to find a Staten Islander who has anything nice to say about the PA (unless they work for the agency of course). We're forced to pay their tolls to have access to the mainland with ZERO free options and no resident discount. Our wonderful governor was all for the Gil Hodges Bridge discount though for those poor Queens residents of course.

If NJ and NY didn't milk and steal from the PA it would be a different story , aside from the WTC , you would see projects like the Bayonne and Goethals bridge replacement sail by without any issues...or the PATH extension to EWR / Elizabeth....or a whole list of back uped Projects. NJ and NY have stolen close to 12 Billion from the PA and have appointed way too many of there self serving people which make an average of 100k to due nothing.

[Airborneguy]

Pretty much my point, no?

[nykiddo718718]

How about corporate sponsorship? (E.G." Citibike")

[ny789987]

ABSOLUTELY NOT!

The MTA and the PA are some of the most corrupt, mob-infested agencies in America and you want to hand them over even more money? If I have to hear about another 50 year old PA worker retiring early with a FAT, FAT pension and gold-plated health care for life, I am going to throw up.

[NooYowkur81]

Originally Posted by nykiddo718718

Would you pay .25 sales tax to finance capital projects in NYC selected by vote? This money would ONLy go towards capital projects like:

Tri-Borough RX
2nd Ave speed up and extension to BX/BK
Light Rail, various corridors
Ect

?

Yes. Its a quarter for petes sake. People dont even pick up quarters off the ground anymore...

[Forest_Hills_Daddy]

Originally Posted by bmwguydc

If there is sufficient need, then a public-private partnership for a given project's construction funds should be explored.

The common problem with public private partnerships is that ordinary people don't want to pay the tolls and subsequent price hikes for the private partner to earn a competitive profit.