Industry among those to call for Fair and Open Tax Act

Real Estate Weekly, May 7, 2003

Homeowners, small business owners, real estate trade associations and other civic leaders from the five boroughs gathered on the steps of City Hall to call for the implementation of the Fair and Open Tax Act in New York City.

The group, known as Taxpayers for an Affordable New York (TANY), called on the City Charter Revision Commission to incorporate the measures contained in the Fair and Open Tax Act in its work. The proposal was recently made by Council Member Tony Avella (D, Queens) and supported by Council Members James S. Oddo (R, Staten Island), Dennis P. Gallagher (D, Queens), John C. Liu (D, Queens), James E. Davis (D, Brooklyn), Erik Martin Dilan (D, Brooklyn), Andrew Lanza (R, Staten Island), and Hiram Monserrate (D, Queens).

The Fair and Open Tax Act allows for public participation in any future decision to increase the city's property tax rates, requiring public hearings in each of the boroughs prior to passing an increase. The city also would be required to give sufficient notice of the hearings to the public.

"The public should have a voice in decisions that affect them," said Steve Spinola, president of the Real Estate Board of New York, a member of TANY "The Fair and Open Tax Act ensures that people who pay taxes will have a chance to express their opinions before a measure is passed. This is not a vote against tax increases, but instead, is a vote in favor of traditional democracy and proper representation for the people."

To ensure action by the City Charter Revision Commission, TANY plans to launch an aggressive grassroots effort that will include advertising, petition drives, asking elected officials to meet with neighborhood groups to express their views on the Fair and Open Tax Act, and recruiting other neighborhood and citywide civic organizations to support the effort.

TANY unveiled its first print advertisement, which will start to run next week.

"People from communities across New York City are banding together to ensure that our voice will be heard. Hearings in every borough in New York will give voters in all parts of the city a chance to speak directly to the people who represent them," said Sheila Horgan, director of TANY

"The Fair and Open Tax Act does not preclude the possibility of future tax hikes, but it will ensure that the public is heard," explained Council Member Tony Avella. "Government must be responsive to -- or at least hear from -- the people we represent."

Councilman Avella noted that it can take a restaurant owner as long as 170 days to get a permit for a sidewalk cafe; that a city agency must give 30 days notice before raising fees; and that if the city wants to sell real estate, the process could take as long as 195 days.