WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES OCTOBER 31, 2019 15
LETTERS AND COMMENTS
WE NEED STRONGER
GUN LAWS
The tragic shooting of a 14-yearold
boy at a playground in Jamaica
is yet another urgent reason for
elected officials to push for and
pass legislation to outlaw the sale
of firearms to anyone who does not
agree to submit to a background
check when they are going to purchase
a gun.
There is absolutely no reason at
all for those people to be permitted
to buy a gun.
Also, there has been a marked increase
in street violence over the last
several years, and it is time for more
preventative measures to be taken.
How many more innocent lives —
young and old — are going to be taken
because of this epidemic of gun violence?
What is it going to take to get
those elected offi cials in Washington,
D.C., to stand up to the NRA and not
let it control how our legislators vote
regarding further restrictions on
guns in this country?
It is getting to be so that people
cannot go to the mall, to the movies,
to religious services, to sporting
events, or for children, teachers
and administrators to go to school,
or even just to walk down the street
or go for a drive without the fear of
being shot.
God help our country, because
somebody has to!
John Amato,
Fresh Meadows
SNAPS
FALL COLORS AT ASTORIA PARK
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Vote Yes on Ballot Question 4
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OP-ED
BY ANDREW REIN
When Queens voters head to
the polls to vote for district
attorney, they also will be
able to vote on fi ve ballot questions
that propose amendments to the
New York City Charter. These all are
important proposals, but one in particular
is worth supporting because
it would make an important change to
how the city manages its budget.
Many of us know that it is common
sense to put aside some money when
times are good, since cloudy days may
lay ahead. Question 4 would allow
the city to create a “rainy day fund”
— essentially a savings account that
would allow the city to save during
prosperous times in order to stave
off budget cuts or tax increases in
times of crisis or recession. Queens
voters should vote yes to approve this
change.
The City Charter is essentially
New York’s Constitution: it establishes
the governmental framework,
authorities and responsibilities
of city offi cials and agencies, and
outlines the process for everything
from budget to zoning and land use.
The Charter’s budgeting provisions
require the city to balance its budget
under strict accounting rules. These
rules have helped the city manage its
budget well; however, an unfortunate
byproduct of these rules is that they
prevent the city from using money
saved up from prior years to pay for
services during “rainy days.” Question
4 would keep the balanced budget
requirement, and allow the city to
create and use a rainy day fund.
While the city is experiencing
record economic expansion and job
growth, economists are increasingly
worried about looming storm clouds.
According to the Citizens Budget
Commission, a recession could result
in multi-year revenue shortfalls
totaling at least $15 billion. To balance
the budget, city leaders will resort to
service cuts and tax increases. For
example, to weather the last two recessions,
the city reduced police and
ambulance staffi ng, cut library hours,
suspended recycling, and increased
personal income, sales and property
taxes. A well-structured RDF can
protect New Yorkers from the worst
service cuts or tax increases.
Question 4 includes three other
proposed Charter amendments. Two
changes are minor, and adjust the
timeline for the budget process. The
third would set minimum budgets
for the offi ces of the public advocate
and borough presidents. Budget
guarantees are generally unwise;
they restrict the discretion of the city
leaders and can result in increased
budgets for certain offi ces or functions
while other critical services are
cut. However, the proposal allows the
mayor to propose lower budgets for
these offi ces if accompanied by a justifi
cation. This escape hatch reduces
concerns about the impacts of this
proposal.
Queens voters have an important
opportunity to strengthen the city’s
budgeting processes this election day;
they should vote yes on Ballot Question
4 to create a rainy day fund.
Andrew Rein is president of the
Citizens Budget Commission.
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