REMARKS
Council member outlines strategy to eliminate water rental payments
3:42:07
·
73 sec
Council Member Gennaro outlines a strategy to eliminate water rental payments, emphasizing the need for action at both the state and city levels. He explains the challenges of removing the payment once it's included in the city budget and proposes a two-pronged approach.
- The mayor must be persuaded not to include the rental payment in the budget initially
- State legislation is needed to remove the mayor's power to impose rental payments
- The council member seeks support from the New York League of Conservation Voters in advancing this strategy
James F. Gennaro
3:42:07
We I mean, this has to come from the state.
3:42:10
The only way to make it happen on the city level not to happen is for the mayor not to put the number in the budget in the first place.
3:42:17
And I'm sure that, you know, LCV will try to do everything it can to prevail upon the mayor not to do this.
3:42:24
Once I've said before, if you've been listening for the whole testimony, to the whole to the whole earring, once that number goes in the budget, it is very difficult for the council to get that out and do all the other budget things it needs to do.
3:42:37
It's just a $440,000,000 budget hole for the council to fill on.
3:42:42
It just it just it just doesn't work.
3:42:44
The mayor has to not ask for the money.
3:42:46
And so and LCV has a lot of clout with the state.
3:42:51
We know.
3:42:52
And so once I get further down the road of trying to get sponsors in the state legislature who will take this rental payment power away from the mayor.
3:43:04
We count on LCD support for that bill in the state legislature.
3:43:08
So that's where we can partner on this.
3:43:11
And it's really I couldn't be more pleased that LCV is so totally on board with this issue.
3:43:16
Good for you.
3:43:18
Thank you very much.
3:43:18
I appreciate your testimony here today.
