NYC Councilman David G. Greenfield submitted a legislative request last week that would prevent the city from charging non-profit organizations, including religious institutions, for sanitation collection. The legislation was requested in response to Mayor Bloomberg’s budget proposal to assess a fee for Department of Sanitation pickup beginning in 2012. Presently, registered non-profit organizations and religious institutions, including yeshivas, do not pay for city sanitation pick-ups.

“In a city where it feels like we are constantly nickled and dimed, the last thing we need is another fee,” said Councilman Greenfield. “That is why when I learned about this proposal in the city budget, I immediately acted to introduce legislation to prevent the policy from ever taking effect. In difficult economic times, our charitable organizations often bridge the gap in services left by deep, but necessary, budget cuts at the city and state levels. The notion of charging these chesed groups and yeshivas for something as basic as trash pick up is outlandish. I understand the need to generate revenue, but it cannot continually be done on the backs of those who are contributing the most to the City.”

The Mayor’s proposal would generate an additional $17.2 million each year beginning at the start of Fiscal Year 2013, in July 2012.

“I know how deeply this will effect the community I represent,” explained Councilman Greenfield, referring to the impact Mayor’s Bloomberg’s latest fee would have on the Orthodox Jewish community. “I also know that this new fee would harm communities across New York. That’s why I have reached out to my colleagues across New York City to support this legislation that would block the planned sanitation fee from going into effect next year.”

(YWN Desk – NYC)