Would Override Recent Increase
Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder announced that legislation he sponsored to ease the financial burden on hospitals, charities and non-profit organizations recently passed the Assembly.
This bill (A.9813) would continue reduced water rates for these institutions in New York City until Sept. 1, 2014.
“At a time when many are struggling to stay afloat financially, we need to find ways to ease the burden instead of making it more difficult,” said Goldfeder. “When so many of these important organizations are struggling, asking them to continue to pay a higher fee for water is the last thing they need. Continuing a reduced water rate for hospitals and charitable organizations eases some of the financial burdens they face. It is the least we could do to help these organizations that are working tirelessly to help the members of our community. I urge the Senate to pass this legislation.”
“Catholic Charities will benefit greatly if this legislation passes, the money saved will go back into funding the programs and services that the charity provides to the community,” said Mgsr. Alfred Lo Pinto who serves as a Vicar for Human Services of the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens.
Goldfeder introduced a bill in April to keep water rates down for everyone in New York City (A.10032) by capping water rate increases at no more than four percent each year. This legislation was in response to the proposal New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to increase water rates for this year by seven percent.
Following five public hearings, throughout the five boroughs, the Water Board voted to up hold the increase which constitutes a 78 percent increase in the cost of water rates since 2005.
“The rate hike is ultimately another tax and an additional fee that working and middle class families, who are already struggling, can’t afford right now,” said Goldfeder. “Raising water rates for New York City hospitals, charities and families is not an option and I will do everything I can to relief them of this financial burden.”
