FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM NOVEMBER 5, 2020 • THE QUEENS COURIER 23
oped letters & comments
Put politics aside — New York City needs help
BY DAVID WEPRIN
New York City needs help. It’s as
simple as that.
Seven months into the coronavirus
pandemic, where New York’s
outbreak eclipsed others around the
world, we’ve come back from the
height of one of the worst public
health crises we’ve ever experienced,
but we’re still staring down the brink
of economic disaster.
Aft er almost a decade of economic
recovery following the 2008 fi nancial
crisis, New York now needs federal
assistance to off set the massive losses
from the coronavirus and help it
recover from its worst economic crisis
in nearly half a century.
As of now, New York City has the
highest unemployment rate in the
state, currently at 16.3 percent, which
is up more than 12 percent from last
year; $9 billion in lost revenue; and a
historic vacancy rate of 5 percent in
Manhattan, among many other troubling
economic indicators.
Th e federal government must
label New York City for what it is:
America’s economic engine. We’re the
nation’s fi nancial and cultural capital.
Th e New York City metro area
accounts for almost 10 percent of
the U.S. GDP. Th at’s more than most
countries and yet, the federal government
wants to withhold critical
funds, putting our education, social
services and public safety at stake.
AUTUMN IN CUNNINGHAM PARK //
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If New York City fares poorly fi nancially,
so does the rest of the country.
New York City puts more money into
the federal pot every year than any
other state. Federal economic assistance
wouldn’t be a bailout as some
have suggested; it would be ensuring
the economic health of the nation.
While state policymakers debate
whether to raise state taxes on the
rich to help minimize cuts to spending
on vital services, it appears
Governor Cuomo is resisting those
calls. So, without that infl ux of funds,
and without any increase in revenue
from Albany, the federal government
— which has the ability to print
money on demand — is the only
partner we can turn to.
And to give just a small glimpse
into what the fi nancial future of our
city looks like without any federal
support, here are two examples: Th e
restaurant industry, once the lifeblood
of our city — bringing in nearly $27
billion in taxable sales — could see
half of its restaurants and bars close
for good. Th e tourism industry is also
reeling, with a projected loss of at
least $1.5 billion in all taxable tourism
sales for 2021.
Despite all of this, negotiations
over a stronger COVID-relief package
are stalled, with the impasse likely
to remain aft er Election Day. Plus,
a “skinny” stimulus bill introduced by
Republicans failed to pass the Senate.
But even if it had passed, it didn’t
include any new money for state or
local governments.
Not only that, the federal relief
that has been doled out has not
been equal, with small businesses
in majority-Black, majority-Hispanic
and majority-Asian and South
Asian neighborhoods receiving PPP
loans more slowly than small businesses
in majority-white neighborhoods.
I represent one of the most
diverse districts in the New York
State Assembly. I know these small
business owners and I see their pain.
We don’t want to have to relive our
history. It was bad in the 1970s, it was
bad aft er the Sept. 11 attacks and it
was bad aft er the 2008 fi nancial crisis.
It’s bad now. But it can and will
get better.
It’s time for federal lawmakers to
put aside the putrid politics dominating
Washington and step up and aid
New York City. Helping us will help
the rest of the nation on its path to
economic recovery.
David Weprin represents part of
Queens in the state Assembly. He
is a candidate for New York City
Comptroller and a member of the
Committee on Ways and Means, former
Chairman of the NYC Council’s
Finance Committee and served as
the Deputy Superintendent of Banks
and Secretary of the Banking Board
for New York State under Governor
Mario Cuomo.
ELECTION DAY IS OVER, FINALLY
Election Day has come and gone.
Th is reminds me of “Th e Outer Limits,” a 1960s
television show. With the end of around-the-clock
commercials by politicians, political parties, political
action groups and pay-for-play special interest
groups, we now return control of your television
back to you until the next election cycle.
No more candidates’ campaign mailings clogging
our mailboxes and weighing down our hardworking
postal employees. Finally, some peace
and quiet!
It would be nice if all the winning and losing
candidates would pick up all the thousands of
campaign signs that litter our roads and highways
to help clean up our environment. All can use left -
over campaign funds to hire either the Boy Scouts
or the Girl Scouts to collect this litter. Th ey could
pay our young people a nominal fee, which I’m
sure would be appreciated.
Larry Penner, Great Neck
A NEW ERA IN QUEENS
A new chapter has begun with Major League
Baseball owners approving Steve Cohen as the new
owner of the Mets.
Cohen is a man who is a dedicated Mets fan and
whose love of baseball is undeniable.
My late father, Frederick R. Bedell Sr., and I have
been lifelong Mets fans since the early 1960s. Th ere
have been many highs and lows, but I believe good
times are coming.
As such, I expect Steve Cohen will do great
things for the Mets and money will be spent to
get the job done and bring a World Series title to
Queens.
To all you Mets fans, let’s believe in the Amazins.
Lets go Mets!
Frederick R. Bedell Jr., Bellerose
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