PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Will Spisak, Senior Program Associate at New Economy Project
0:58:50
ยท
113 sec
Will Spisak, representing New Economy Project and the Abolish the Tax Lien Sale Coalition, expressed strong support for the proposed bills and resolution to improve property tax administration and protect homeowners. He emphasized the need for systemic change beyond these measures.
- Urged quick passage of all proposed bills and the resolution, calling them "common sense measures"
- Highlighted that while supportive, these bills are "Band-Aids on a broken system"
- Called for abolishing and replacing the tax lien sale system with a more equitable approach to preserve community wealth in black and brown neighborhoods
Will Spisak
0:58:50
Thank you, and, good morning to, all the members of the committee on finance.
0:58:55
My name is Will Spisak.
0:58:56
I'm a senior program associate at New Economy Project.
0:59:00
We are, cofounders and the coordinators of the New York City Community Land Initiative, citywide coalition of community land trust, and we're a member of the Abolish the Taxing Sale Coalition.
0:59:11
And you heard from a number of our colleagues, already today.
0:59:15
So I'm gonna make this relatively short, and just reiterate that, we are in full agreement with our colleagues, in the abolish the taxing self coalition, that it's imperative that we pass, all of these bills, and the resolution, as quickly as possible.
0:59:33
These are really common sense, measures, that shouldn't be controversial.
0:59:39
These will help, inform property owners, about, issues, that they may be facing, in regards to their, their their tax bills, as well as help protect people, keep them in their homes, which is ultimately the the goal of the work that we're doing.
0:59:58
I just want to take a moment to to say that while we fully support, this legislation, and, in particular, the 2 bills introduced by council member, NURS, we recognize that they are merely Band Aids, on a broken system.
1:00:15
So we encourage, the city council to continue to work with us and the coalition to abolish and replace the tax lien sale.
1:00:24
It's time that we, put this Giuliani era, system, to the side and behind us and move forward with a more equitable system that helps to keep people in their homes and preserve, community wealth, in our black and brown neighborhoods.
1:00:38
Thank you so much, and, we will be submitting our written testimony with, further thoughts.
1:00:43
Thank you.