A Staten Island judge this afternoon granted the city’s request for a one-week adjournment in the case over the $400 tax rebate checks for homeowners.

City Councilman Vincent Gentile says homeowners deserve the $400 rebate.

He says the checks were approved for the 2009 fiscal year and should have gone out in October.

But the mayor has argued that distribution of the checks – during these tough economic times – could instead force the city to raise taxes.

The mayor has ordered all city agencies to slash their budgets, as he attempts to close a rapidly growing budget gap.