Ilya Marritz
Ilya Marritz covers business for WNYC.
Economic Damage from Senate's Deadlock Adds Up
Friday, July 10, 2009
New York, NY –
The deadlock in the state Senate may be over, but weeks of legislative inaction have caused plenty of economic harm. WNYC's Ilya Marritz surveys the damage.
REPORTER: New York City had been counting on a half a percent sales tax hike, starting June 1. Without that tax, the city says it's already suffered $60 million in lost revenue this month.
It's delayed hiring hundreds of municipal workers, including police and firefighters. Those new workers will miss at least a few weeks of pay.
City Marshals have also been idling, as they wait for Albany to renew their authorization to seize property on behalf of creditors. Commissions make up the bulk of marshals' income.
Economic winners in the standoff? Well, shoppers in the city have a had a temporary reprieve from the sales tax hike. For WNYC, I'm Ilya Marritz.
REPORTER: The city's sales tax did pass early this morning. The vote was 43-19 with the help of Republicans because a number of Democrats opposed the bill.
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