At a time when New Yorkers are still grappling with the costs of repairing their homes and businesses after Sandy, when incomes around the city are stagnant for middle and working class families, and prices are going up, every dollar counts.
That’s why excessive and unfair price hikes on key City services can really hurt a family budget. Last week, the Water Board, appointed by Mayor Bloomberg, proposed jacking up water rates to amounts that will essentially double the price of water since 2007.
What’s more troubling is that since 2005, water rate payments made by New York City homeowners have exceeded system costs by an extra $700 million. This means the City is using the excess dollars to plug holes in its budget.
The Water Board should raise enough revenue to fund investment in a fully functioning water and sewer system, but it’s dishonest to use water rates to hide additional taxes on hardworking New Yorkers. That’s why I called on the Executive Director of the New York City Water Board to fully explain and bring to light the discrepancies between the systems’ revenue and true cost.
While Mayor Bloomberg boasts about not raising taxes, we have seen the City take more out of our pockets with hidden taxes like these water rate hikes. Just last month, I exposed how the City had a borough bias in the dramatic increase in inspections and nuisance fines on small businesses. If the Mayor needs extra money for his budget, he should propose a plan, explain and defend it to the public, and convince the City Council to approve it.
Water rates should be used to fund the water and sewer system —and nothing more. New York City homeowners can’t afford to continue to be nickel and dimed.
Having trouble paying your water bill or need to appeal it? Visit pubadvocate.nyc.gov/water-
Public Advocate Bill de Blasio and candidate for NYC Mayor