| August 28, 2002 |
 |
Mike
raps plan for pay-hike tax
By Frank
Lombardi
Mayor Bloomberg shot down a request yesterday by
a City Council group for a new dedicated tax to pay for raises
for cops and firefighters.
Any new taxes would first be used to eliminate a
$5 billion budget deficit, he said, reacting to a letter from
20 members of the Council.
“You’re talking about way down the road
before a dedicated tax would make any sense whatsoever,”
Bloomberg said.
The proposal was orchestrated by City Councilman
Hiram Monserrate (D-Queens), a former police officer, who said,
“It is time for our city to go to the plate and bat for
our …heroes.”
A draft report from a state arbitration panel would
give cops and firefighters 5% raises each of the next two years,
plus an additional 3½ for working 10 extra days a year.