City Sales tax to go up this weekend...Saw this on line

City Sales Tax To Go Up This Weekend

MAY 28TH, 2003

City shoppers will have to start digging deeper this weekend.

The City Council plans to vote Wednesday on a measure to raise the city’s portion of the sales tax on Sunday, when a state hike also takes effect. Altogether, the sales tax in the five boroughs will rise from 8.25 percent to an unwieldy 8.625 percent.

The exemption on clothing purchases up to $100 will end.

“It's sort of a bittersweet pill to take, but I think it’s medicine that will help get us through this crisis,” said Manhattan Councilman Bill Perkins.

The agreement between Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the City Council marks a turnaround for Speaker Gifford Miller, who had wanted to delay the vote for a month as he sought assurances the new revenue would be used for what he called essential city services.

If the deal passes, sources say, the city will restore $50 million to $75 million in proposed cuts to social services, including an AIDS prevention and assistance program. A plan to double recycling fines will also be dropped.

“Clearly, we are in budget negotiations with the mayor,” said Councilman Leroy Comrie, of Queens. “We are bargaining, and we will use whatever is necessary to protect the quality of life of New Yorkers.”