The recent economic crisis hastaught all of us the cost of reckless financial management. Due to theirresponsibility of a few, all New Yorkers have had to cut back. We’re payingmore for less service because of bad fiscal management. Steve wants to use his experience as both asmall business owner and former Securities and Exchange Commission lawyer tobring fiscal responsibility back to New York.

Steve wants to create a “rainyday” fund that the city can use whenever revenues fall. It is important to beresponsible when it comes to our economic well being. Steve will introducelegislation that will save money during times with budget surpluses. That wayduring hard times like this, we can be ready and won’t have to cut essentialservices. By using these tax surpluses we can create a nest egg that can offersecurity and carry us through rough spots.

By creating a nest egg the city does not have to sacrifice important cityservices or layoff city employees. When times are hard we rely on city servicesmore than ever so we should take steps to ensure that these services are alwaysavailable. 

Having a fund in place allows us to keep our schools untouched by harsh times.Teachers’ salaries would not have to be cut, class sizes would not have to beincreased, and school programs will not have to be neglected and placed to theside. Our children should not have to have their education suffer because wedid not have the foresight to save for their education.

It is important to keep our police and fire departments open and functioningproperly. If we cannot support these essential services we may face closings orcutbacks. Cutbacks to these life-saving services are unacceptable. Spreadingthese important agencies too thin means that response times will be inefficientand the safety of citizens will be put at risk. 

If we are responsible and save when we have a surplus the government will nothave to turn to such underhanded methods like excessive taxes on items andincreasing the amount of tickets that get handed out for almost non-existentoffenses. When people are losing their jobs the government should not be hikeup the cost of living. If anything the government should be providingassistance and offering services that can help them through their troubledtimes.