WPCNR HALLS OF ALBANY. September 11, 2007 UPDATED September 12, 2007: Assemblyman Adam T. Bradley of the 89th District clarified today he was ready and willing to sponsor a home rule legislation enacting a ½% increase in the White Plains sales tax (raising it to 2-1/2%), provided the city documented the expected $10 Million in anticipated revenue from the increased was indeed needed to cover expected city budget gaps in the following years.
Assemblyman Adam T. Bradley, Memorial Day Ceremony May, 2007.
The Common Council had voted to table the Mayor’s home rule request on the increase ostensibly because Mr. Bradley’s support was not behind the bill. This was the council’s first outright opposition to the sales tax increase it has expressed, though the Mayor has been touting the increase since last spring. Two of the members of the Common Council face a primary election next Tuesday, September 12.
Bradley told WPCNR that he did not want his position sensationalized, but confirmed he needed specific information from the city before he could support the ½% sales tax:
“All I’ve asked for is reasonable information that explains what the projected gaps are in the budget for the next several years so that we know what their real need is. That’s all I’ve asked for,” Bradley explained. “I’ve indicated to the city that I intend to fill those gaps. But, we need to know what they are. I don’t think that’s an unreasonable request. I’m still waiting for the city to provide that information. That’s all.”
WPCNR has contacted the Mayor’s Office asking when the city would provide such projections to Mr. Bradley.
