New York City Council Member To Revive NYC Statehood Bid

January 30, 2008 9:11 p.m. EST

New York, N.Y. (AHN) - New York City Council member Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Queens) has revived his 2003 bill creating a commission that will explore the city's secession from New York State and recommend the corresponding referendum.

Vallone believes secession will solve what he observes as New York's shortchanging of the city, referring to the $11 billion tax the Big Apple pays to the state but doesn't get back.

"Should we raise taxes some more? Should we cut services some more? Or should we consider seriously going out on our own?" the New York Sun quoted the city lawmaker as saying.

Council member Simcha Felder, who chairs the Governmental Operations committee, said a hearing will be scheduled this year for Vallone's bill.

Vallone's move followed Mayor Michael Bloombergs' Tuesday call on state lawmakers in Albany to give the city its "fair share" of tax revenue. The mayor made the call after Gov. Eliot Spitzer slashed $500 million from the state's proposed 2008 budget, which affected New York City's budget.