Stop Smoking, Start Shopping

Bloomberg looks to raise taxes to cut them...I think it isn't a bad idea.

Mayor Bloomberg is probably most notorious here in the city for his hatred of smokers. Now, a report says he plans on raising the cigarette tax (again,) to cut clothing taxes. The taxes on cigarettes would place the second highest taxes on cigarettes in the country, after Chicago.

Personally, I never had a problem with taxing cigarettes, even as a smoker (as I was from 1998, when they cost $2.75 a pack until 55 days ago.) Cigarettes are a luxury, luxuries can be taxed. Also, personally, I don't see clothing as a luxury, because clothing is a necessity, therefore it should not be taxed, so I'm happy to see Bloomberg taxing a luxury to cut them on necessities. The only caveat is that the state legislature must approve his plan. The state legislature tends to take forever to approve anything unless Governor Spitzer locks them inside the state house all night (see the budget.)

I remember hearing people complain about the taxes on cigarettes, that is was discrimination against smokers. Don't smoke, you know it's unhealthy, either quit or deal with it. That's what I did, I dealt with it. I paid the taxes, didn't complain. I smoked outside and away from non-smokers, until I was ready to quit.

So that's my message to smokers who may bitch and moan that Bloomberg is discriminating against them. Shutup or quit. In the meantime, buy some new tax-free clothes to replace the smelly ones.

Special Election Results and News

Since I'm out of town, I wasn't following yesterday's special elections for the two NYC Council seats...I just remembered about them. So here they are...

In Brooklyn's 40th City Council District, centered around Flatbush, Democrat Mathieu Eugene defeated nine other candidates to win the seat with a plurality win of 34%. Eugene is the first Haitian-American ever elected to the City Council. He replaces Democrat Yvette Clarke who was elected to the US House of Representatives in November.

In Staten Island's 51st City Council District, which includes most of Central and Southern Staten Island, Republican State Assemblyman Vincent Ignizio defeated his opponent with 71% of the vote. Ignizio replaces Andrew Lanza, another Republican, who was elected to the State Senate in November.

More Specific results will be posted here when the Board of Elections publicly releases them.

Ignizio's State Assembly seat is vacant, meaning three (possibly four) State Assembly seats are currently vacant, two alone on Staten Island. A Special Election for the 61st State Assembly district, vacated by the passing of Democrat John Lavelle last month, has been scheduled for March 27th. The special election for DiNapoli's State Assembly seat in Nassau County is also scheduled for March 27th. A Special Election date for Ignizio's now vacant seat in Staten Island have not been set yet.

Special Election Alerts!

On the heels of the recent Special Election for State Senate in northwestern Nassau County, there are numerous other special elections that will occur in the near future to look out for. Some dates have been set, others have not.

1.) New York State Assembly- District 16
-The seat of now-State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. Located in Northwestern Nassau County (entirely in the 7th State Senate district, where the last special election was held), it includes Great Neck, Manhasset, Port Washington, Plandome, Roslyn, North Hills, East Hills, Manhasset Hills, parts of New Hyde Park, Mineola and Albertson. Leans Democratic. Special Election date to be set.

2.) New York State Assembly- District 61
-The seat of the late Assemblyman John Lavelle. A Democrat, Lavelle passed away in late January, leaving the seat vacant. The district includes a hugh swath of Northern Staten Island, including Port Richmond, St George, Tompkinsville, Castleton Corners, Westerleigh and Arlington. District is competitive, but leans Democratic. Special Election date still to be set.

3.) New York State Assembly- District 65
-The seat of former Assemblyman Alexander B. Pete Grannis, a Democrat. Governor Spitzer appointed Grannis to be Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation in his cabinet. The district is located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and includes most of the island between 59th St and 96 St, from Lexington Ave to the East River and Roosevelt Island. Grannis has held the seat for over 30 years. It was competitive back then, but may be overwhelmingly Democratic today. Special Election yet to be set.

4.) New York City Council District 40
-The seat of now Democratic Congresswoman Yvette Clarke. District is located mainly in Flatbush, Brooklyn. Is heavily Democratic. Special Election to be held February 20th

5.) New York City Council District 51
-The seat of now Republican State Senator Andrew Lanza. District is located in Southern Staten Island and includes the neighorhoods of Tottenville, Huguenot, Annadale, and Rossville. It is the city's most Republican seat. Special Election to be held February 20th. The only announced candidate in Republican State Assemblyman Vincent Ignizio

If Ignizio wins the Council race, there will be ANOTHER special election...so stay tuned