Res. No. 16
Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign S.5832/A.8726, providing for state reimbursement to all elementary and secondary schools for the cost of metropolitan commuter transportation mobility tax payments.
By Council Members Vallone, Oddo, Ignizio, Halloran, Fidler, James, Lander and Vacca.
Whereas, On May 7, 2009, New York State Governor Paterson signed into law legislative bill S.5451/A.8180 as Chapter 25 of the Laws of 2009, implementing various supplemental fees and taxes for the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District ("MCTD") in an effort to help the Metropolitan Transportation Authority ("MTA") reduce a 2009 operating budget shortfall of $1.8 billion; and
Whereas, Chapter 25 of the Laws of 2009 requires that employers within the MCTD, including schools, pay a payroll mobility tax of 0.34 percent; and
Whereas, Chapter 25 of the Laws of 2009 also apportions State money to public school districts for full reimbursement of their payroll mobility tax payments; and
Whereas, According to the State Assembly Memorandum for Assembly Bill A.5671, Chapter 25 of the Laws of 2009 excludes non public and private elementary and secondary schools from such reimbursement; and
Whereas, Chapter 25 of the Laws of 2009 thus burdens non public and private elementary and secondary schools unequally compared to their public counterparts; and
Whereas, Non public and private elementary and secondary schools in the MCTD contribute to the City by providing alternative educational options and reducing the number of students served in public schools; and
Whereas, Assembly Bill A.5671 would amend Chapter 25 of the Laws of 2009, amending the tax law and the administrative code of the city of New York relating to the metropolitan commuter transportation mobility tax, and the education law, enabling all non public and private elementary and secondary schools to be entitled to the same payroll mobility tax reimbursements as public school districts; and
Whereas, The passage of this legislation would expand tax relief to non public and private elementary and secondary schools in the MCTD, which also play a critical role in the education of New York City's children; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign S.5832/A.8726, providing for state reimbursement to all elementary and secondary schools for the cost of metropolitan commuter transportation mobility tax payments.
JH
LS 7965
12-18-09