from nypost
A bill that would create a commission to study whether the city should secede from New York state will get another hearing soon — after sitting in the City Council for nearly two years
The bill was introduced on Feb. 26, 2003. A hearing was held shortly after, but no action has been taken on the bill since then.
"I expected delays and opposition when we got to the state level, but I never thought it would be held up for two years trying to get out of a City Council committee," said Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Queens), who introduced the bill.
But Councilman Bill Perkins (D-Manhattan) — the chair of the Government Operations committee, where the bill has been held up since May 2003 — told The Post that he plans to hold another hearing on the bill "sometime this year."
After a disappointing "State of the State" speech two weeks ago, Vallone said this was the perfect time to look at whether the city should secede.
"Ten years of long political speeches and empty promising while New York City residents pay for his mistakes, Gov. Pataki is slapping us on the back with one hand while lifting our wallets with the other," Vallone said. "We cannot raise taxes any more, nor can we make any further cuts. This may be our only viable option."
A spokesman for Mayor Bloomberg declined to comment.
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