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Front of the Capitol building

Malliotakis: If City & State Receive Federal Funds Tolls & Taxes Should Not Increase

February 18, 2021

(WASHINGTON, DC) - Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) yesterday sent letters to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo calling on both officials, who are expected to receive $50 billion in federal aid from President Biden's COVID-relief package, to commit to stopping planned increases in tolls, personal income and property taxes. She is also urging that a portion of the funds be used to provide aid for small businesses that were mandated to close by the city and state governments.

Malliotakis called on Governor Cuomo to use a portion of the anticipated funds to prevent increases on the Verrazano bridge, increases on personal income tax and specifically designate funds for small businesses across New York that the state mandated to close over the last several months. A similar letter was sent to Mayor de Blasio asking to freeze the property tax levy which impacts homeowners and renters alike.

"If President Biden and Congress do end up giving $50 billion to New York, there needs to be accountability and commitments that this money will make its way to providing hardworking New Yorkers with real relief," said Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis. "My constituents and I have grave concerns about giving Governor Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio big checks without knowing where the money will go. The worst thing they can do is accept this money and still move forward with toll and tax increases. It would not only be double-dipping on the part of the city and state governments, but it would be a slap in the face to our middle-class families who are struggling to get by during this pandemic and can’t afford increases to their daily cost of living."

Malliotakis has expressed concern over Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID-relief package and believes any stimulus passed should be tailored to help individuals and small businesses who have faced the brunt of COVID lockdowns.

The letters Malliotakis sent to Mayor de Blasio and Governor Cuomo can be found below.

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de Blasio

 

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Cuomo