PARKING METER INCREASE

Last year, I was proud to vote against the mayor’s citywide parking meter hike, raising prices up to 260% as a way of plugging budget shortfalls.  I said at the time that raising these fees without first modernizing our existing transportation infrastructure, creating more garage spaces, or utilizing technology (like demand based pricing and real-time availability) is a back-door tax which hurts our residents and businesses.  Despite my concerns, the rate increase narrowly passed the City Council 5-4.

When the pricing took effect last month, the community rallied against this ill-conceived plan and we brought about positive change, together.   Thanks to massive opposition from thousands of Hoboken residents and business owners who spoke out against the rate hikes, the mayor acknowledged he made a mistake and called to scale back. Hoboken should be encouraging people to visit, shop and dine in our city and enjoy all it has to offer as opposed to creating even more obstacles for businesses to succeed.  I look forward to working with the mayor to develop and implement holistic solutions to modernizing Hoboken’s parking and transportation infrastructure.  To read more on the repeal,  click here. 

PREVENTING A TAX INCREASE

On the same day Mayor Bhalla called to repeal the meter increases, he introduced his 2019 budget which not only proposes a sizable tax increase but also that we use the above meter revenue to cover rampant overspending. This budget proposes to raise taxes by nearly $2 million while allocating an additional $1.2 million in anticipated meter revenue to plug other holes in the budget.  Simply put, the mayor is relying on money that didn’t yet exist through questionable parking policy to pay for expenses already made — a buy first, worry later mindset.  Without the anticipated revenues from the meters, our budget is now nearly $3 million deficient and Hoboken taxpayers are being threatened with a significant tax increase.  

Residents should not be forced to pay for this mayor’s spending spree and do not deserve a budget that relies on backdoor taxes and gimmicks to compensate for overspending.

I am calling on Mayor Bhalla to work with the City Council to develop a fair budget with responsible spending cuts, starting with the bloated staff salaries coming from his office, luxury vehicles and contracts to politically connected law firms. These expenses are threatening Hoboken’s middle-class families and it is time for the Mayor to work with the City Council to ensure that we hold the line on taxes and maintain our AA+ credit rating.

Per the above reference map, the Small Business Expansion District Plan will include: 

The Small Business Expansion District Plan will be up for a vote by the City Council later this month.

PAYING FOR PUB CRAWLS

Last month, I proposed a common sense plan to protect Hoboken taxpayers by creating a system to better manage bar crawls. Most of our bars and restaurants are responsible neighbors that provide economic support to our city and make Hoboken a more vibrant place, but for far too long residents have been burdened by having to pay for these private events.

Though Lepre-Con was much smaller than recent events, it still cost the city over $100,000 to clean up and provide additional police officers and sanitation workers for the day. Taxpayers shouldn’t be on the hook for that, and my ordinance outlines a system where these costs are covered and taxpayers will be safeguarded.   Protecting our quality of life, especially in my downtown neighborhood, is top priority and I’m confident that this plan will give the administration new tools to recoup tax dollars and better manage pub crawls.

I am hopeful that through City Council oversight we will see this project move forward, avoiding the problems of cost overruns and delays that have plagued other major initiatives like the Washington Street redesign and Southwest Park.  

To learn more about the park and its many amazing features, click here.

eSCOOTERS ROLLING INTO HOBOKEN 
 

Last night the City Council approved a six-month trial program with Lime — an eScooter rideshare company operating in over 100 cities worldwide.  I am proud to have been a leading voice for eScooters in Hoboken and last summer, when I hosted Lime on Pier 13 at a free pop-up event, the universal question I heard from residents was, “when will they come to Hoboken”?  

The trial-run for the service will extend from May until October and riding areas will be limited to marked bike lanes, with strict enforcement from the HPD.   eScooters and other emerging transportation technologies have the potential to revolutionize how we all get around Hoboken and I personally look forward to hopping onto a scooter soon on my morning commute to NYC.  I hope you’ll take the opportunity to try out this exciting new mode of transportation and let me know your thoughts.   

As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions on these issues, or if you need help on any city matters. Thank you for your continued support as we work together to bring new energy and new ideas to Hoboken.