Press Releases
NEWS: STIMULUS AND NEW YORK CITY
New York City – Representative Anthony Weiner (D – Brooklyn and Queens), a Democratic Regional Whip, released the following study of what the stimulus means for New York City:
- More Cops on City Streets: The stimulus provides $1 billion through the COPS program for hiring of over 13,300 officers nationwide, including an more than 900 for New York City. Rep. Weiner authored legislation in 2007 to reauthorize the COPS program, an innovative crime prevention initiative, which has put nearly 120,000 police officers on the beat since 1994.
- Aid for States: The package provides nearly $32 billion to help states with school modernization, public safety, and other high priority needs. Weiner introduced a bill in 2003 and 2007 to give money to states to help prevent cuts in support services.
- Health Care Relief for State and City: The stimulus provides $87 billion nationwide to ease the strain of Medicaid costs on states and city. New York State will receive a minimum of $4 billion, with at least $902 million coming to New York City. Additional funding will be added to states most in need, which could result in as much as $10 billion for New York State and approximately $2.25 billion for New York City.
- Aid to Public Housing: New York City’ Housing Authority is the nation’s largest housing authority, providing housing for over 400,000 individuals in 178,000 apartments. The stimulus provides $4 billion for the public housing capital fund, which will bring an estimated $520 million to New York City to replace boilers, elevators and to meet other capital needs. This funding could create an estimated 3,500 construction jobs for New Yorkers. Rep. Weiner recently led efforts to secure additional resources for these public housing projects.
- Tax Cuts for Middle Class New Yorkers: The House package includes tax cuts that will ease the tax burden on an estimated 1.7 million New York City families. Workers making under $200,000 will receive a tax cut of approximately $500, with couples receiving $1,000. In 2006, Weiner proposed a similar tax cut, giving a 10% cut to families making under $150,000.
Rep. Weiner said, “We will be accomplishing more to help New York City needs with this one bill than any in recent memory. These are smart investments that come at a time when New York City needs them. I am thrilled that many of the efforts I was involved with have borne fruit for the Big Apple.”
Rep. Weiner’s staff based these estimates on historical formulas and language specifically written in the bill. Estimates will become more concrete once the bill is finally passed.
