The Press & Sun-Bulletin reported that Democrat Matthew T. Ryan, Republican Rich David and Independence Party candidate Douglas Walter Drazen all agree on one thing: The city is going to continue to face serious financial issues no matter who is elected mayor.
One reason is costs outside of the city's control, such as the economic recession and rising pension costs. But belt-tightening is needed, they said.
Their approaches differ.
Nonprofits are one area of focus. Douglas Walter Drazen's campaign has stressed the need for nonprofit organizations to pay a greater share of the cost of city government. If elected, his administration would aggressively pursue having nonprofit property owners make voluntary payments in lieu of taxes. Read more about other candidate viewpoints.
Showing posts with label Election. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Election. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Drazen plans to 'aggressively pursue' voluntary nonprofit payments
The Press & Sun-Bulletin reported that mayoral candidate Douglas Walter Drazen plans to use to generate revenue from nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations.
"Additionally, unlike the current administration, and its predecessor, which made a half-hearted effort in 2004 known as the 'Fair Share Program,' my administration will aggressively pursue voluntary payments from 'nonprofit' property owners," said Drazen, who also proposes selling Ely Park golf course. "Metro-Interfaith, which operates elderly housing in Binghamton, makes such a payment every year, and would be a good model to follow."
Drazen said he will hold weekly press conferences praising groups such as Metro-Interfaith and shaming those who don't pay.
He also proposed stopping garbage pickup for nonprofits and asking city council to enact a local law, pursuant to New York State Real Property Tax Law 420-b, which allows local taxation of certain "nonprofits."
Republican candidate Rich David also embraces the idea of reinstituting the "Fair Share Program" started by former mayor Richard A. Bucci, for whom David worked.
David said the Bucci administration set the ground work, but current Mayor Matthew Ryan didn't continue pursuing the program.
Ryan, a Democrat, said he doesn't think "Fair Share Program" is a good idea.
"I find that hard to believe he really believes he is going to shame people into giving money," said Ryan. "These groups don't deserve shame. If it wasn't for these not-for-profits some of the most vulnerable would be even more vulnerable."
In 2008, Ryan's office identified $58.2 million in tax-exempt property. Of those properties: 44.2 percent are government and 17 percent are religious organizations. Altogether, the city determined 31.6 percent of its properties in 2008 were tax exempt.
"Even if you are going to tax some of these groups the money is minimal," said Ryan.
Have your own thoughts on this topic? Is your community having similiar conversations? We want to hear from you. Post here or e-mail us.
"Additionally, unlike the current administration, and its predecessor, which made a half-hearted effort in 2004 known as the 'Fair Share Program,' my administration will aggressively pursue voluntary payments from 'nonprofit' property owners," said Drazen, who also proposes selling Ely Park golf course. "Metro-Interfaith, which operates elderly housing in Binghamton, makes such a payment every year, and would be a good model to follow."
Drazen said he will hold weekly press conferences praising groups such as Metro-Interfaith and shaming those who don't pay.
He also proposed stopping garbage pickup for nonprofits and asking city council to enact a local law, pursuant to New York State Real Property Tax Law 420-b, which allows local taxation of certain "nonprofits."
Republican candidate Rich David also embraces the idea of reinstituting the "Fair Share Program" started by former mayor Richard A. Bucci, for whom David worked.
David said the Bucci administration set the ground work, but current Mayor Matthew Ryan didn't continue pursuing the program.
Ryan, a Democrat, said he doesn't think "Fair Share Program" is a good idea.
"I find that hard to believe he really believes he is going to shame people into giving money," said Ryan. "These groups don't deserve shame. If it wasn't for these not-for-profits some of the most vulnerable would be even more vulnerable."
In 2008, Ryan's office identified $58.2 million in tax-exempt property. Of those properties: 44.2 percent are government and 17 percent are religious organizations. Altogether, the city determined 31.6 percent of its properties in 2008 were tax exempt.
"Even if you are going to tax some of these groups the money is minimal," said Ryan.
Have your own thoughts on this topic? Is your community having similiar conversations? We want to hear from you. Post here or e-mail us.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Binghamton Mayoral Candidates Talk Plans to Lower Taxes
WBNG reported on mayoral candidates ideas about addressing taxes. Nonprofits are definitely drawing attention regarding this issue. As the article relates:
An Independent candidate for Binghamton mayor vows to reduce taxes in 4 years, or not seek re-election.
But as Action News reporter Gabe Osterhout tells us, his opponents say his plan won't work as well as he thinks it will.
Douglas Drazen has several ideas to lower taxes in the City of Binghamton, which could keep people from moving out.
He says that can only be accomplished by getting the city's priorities straight by putting necessity before luxury.
"We will lower taxes. We will lower taxes more than once and if at the end of my first term in office, taxes are not lower than they are now, I won't seek a second term in office. That's my pledge to the beleaguered tax payers," Drazen says.
Mayor Matt Ryan says Drazen's ideas won't have a big impact on the budget.
Including Drazen's plan to eliminate garbage services to non-profit agencies, who don't pay for it through taxes.
Drazen says it would save money on fuel, man hours and wear and tear on city vehicles.
Ryan says it could end up costing the city.
"Everyone of them I called has private garbage collection already and if they don't that means they contribute to the revenue, as our garbage men go by their properties anyway, by putting it out in green bags which covers our tipping fees," says Ryan.
Another plan would be to eliminate most of the clerical staff in city hall, including in the mayor's office.
Drazen feels by putting a receptionist on each floor instead of each office, city hall would run more efficiently.
Republican candidate Rich David disagrees.
"Not only would it not save money, it wouldn't be efficient or effective. Somebody who has no idea how city hall runs on a daily basis has no idea the volume of calls that might come into the mayor's office, or public works when it snows, or engineering," David says.
This November, it'll be up to the voters to decide what plan to try, and which will one will be put out to the curb.
In Binghamton, Gabe Osterhout, WBNG-TV Action News.
David says Drazen's non-profit plan sounds similar to his Fair Share Program.
It asks non-profits to pay a part of the services businesses pay full price for via taxes.
Ryan says Drazen doesn't understand the city's financial troubles and is only tinkering around the edges.
An Independent candidate for Binghamton mayor vows to reduce taxes in 4 years, or not seek re-election.
But as Action News reporter Gabe Osterhout tells us, his opponents say his plan won't work as well as he thinks it will.
Douglas Drazen has several ideas to lower taxes in the City of Binghamton, which could keep people from moving out.
He says that can only be accomplished by getting the city's priorities straight by putting necessity before luxury.
"We will lower taxes. We will lower taxes more than once and if at the end of my first term in office, taxes are not lower than they are now, I won't seek a second term in office. That's my pledge to the beleaguered tax payers," Drazen says.
Mayor Matt Ryan says Drazen's ideas won't have a big impact on the budget.
Including Drazen's plan to eliminate garbage services to non-profit agencies, who don't pay for it through taxes.
Drazen says it would save money on fuel, man hours and wear and tear on city vehicles.
Ryan says it could end up costing the city.
"Everyone of them I called has private garbage collection already and if they don't that means they contribute to the revenue, as our garbage men go by their properties anyway, by putting it out in green bags which covers our tipping fees," says Ryan.
Another plan would be to eliminate most of the clerical staff in city hall, including in the mayor's office.
Drazen feels by putting a receptionist on each floor instead of each office, city hall would run more efficiently.
Republican candidate Rich David disagrees.
"Not only would it not save money, it wouldn't be efficient or effective. Somebody who has no idea how city hall runs on a daily basis has no idea the volume of calls that might come into the mayor's office, or public works when it snows, or engineering," David says.
This November, it'll be up to the voters to decide what plan to try, and which will one will be put out to the curb.
In Binghamton, Gabe Osterhout, WBNG-TV Action News.
David says Drazen's non-profit plan sounds similar to his Fair Share Program.
It asks non-profits to pay a part of the services businesses pay full price for via taxes.
Ryan says Drazen doesn't understand the city's financial troubles and is only tinkering around the edges.
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