DC 37 Report Cites Millions in NYC Uncollected Revenue That Could Eliminate Need for Service Cuts and Layoffs

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Jun 13, 2011, 11:20 ET

Testimony by fiscal policy experts, elected officials, labor and community advocates at recent DC 37 hearing form basis for findings. Recommendations for increasing revenue collection are included.

NEW YORK, June 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- District Council 37, the city's largest public employee union, has released a report titled New York City's Uncollected Million$: Recommendations for Increasing Revenue Collection in New York City, which has been distributed to city elected officials. The report's findings are based on the testimony of fiscal policy experts, elected officials and representatives of unions and community groups who participated in an April 28, 2011, DC 37 hearing that focused on city revenue streams that could generate the necessary resources to address the city's budget problems and prevent service cuts and layoffs.

"Testimony at our hearing provided documented evidence that the city is failing to collect more than $500 million that it is due," said DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts. "When we are informed that services must be decreased and workers laid off, as a responsible union we want to offer suggestions to eliminate or minimize any need to lay off childcare workers, librarians, crossing guards, hospital staff and others. This report does just that, and we hope the Mayor and the City Council give it the attention it deserves."

Two major findings that emerged from DC 37's hearing are documented in the report; if acted upon, they could result in a total improvement in the city's balance sheet of more than $800 million:

The city's failure to collect available taxes and fees has resulted in a loss of over one half-billion dollars that could be used to offset the deficit and prevent laying off city workers and eliminating services they provide to the communities of our city.
The cost savings of a voluntary reduction in contractors' charges would be more than $300 million.

The report includes the agenda of District Council 37's hearing on potential NYC revenue sources, select written and oral testimony of participants, and twenty pages of additional documents detailing untapped revenue sources as well as DC 37's recommendations for increasing revenue collection in NYC.

For a copy of the report click here: New York City's Uncollected Million$: Recommendations for Increasing Revenue Collection in New York City

District Council 37 is New York City's largest public employee union, with 125,000 members and 50,000 retirees.

www.dc37.net

Contact:
Zita Allen, Communications Director
Molly Charboneau
Rudy Orozco
212-815-1535

SOURCE District Council 37