Editorial: Speak up, they can't hear you

We suppose it was inevitable.

After the terrorist attacks of September 11, the country spiraled into an economic recession. Businesses that reported millions of dollars in profit a mere two years ago are now filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Now the mayor is desperately trying to bridge a $5 billion budget gap. So what does this mean? Higher taxes, higher rent, higher bridge tolls, higher everything.

Earlier this month the MTA raised the price for a subway or bus fare by 50 cents. Admission to the zoo in Central Park is now $6, up from $3.50. Those living in rent-stabilized apartments are facing possible rent increases of 5.5 percent on one-year leases and 8.5 percent for two-year leases. Even the combined state and city sales tax—already the highest in the country at 8.25 percent—is scheduled to go up to 8.625 percent.

While our expenses go up, Mayor Bloomberg has found himself in the middle of a budget crisis, and he proposes service cuts as a solution. The Mayor wants to cut the sanitation department budget, thus slashing garbage pickup to just two days a week (except in Manhattan). He is closing eight fire stations throughout the city, and he plans to cut the police force and initiate a hiring freeze for police. There are a slew of other cuts, including education and senior services.

With all this in mind, one could say, “Oh well, I suppose it’s just a part of life and New Yorkers just have to grin and bear it. “ But should we?

The Straphangers Campaign, a transit riders advocacy group that has disagreed with the fare increase ever since it was proposed, has sought a court ordered repeal of the fare hike. They cite the MTA’s bad bookkeeping as the main reason behind the fare increase. A hearing was set for May 9. As of press time, the judge had not ruled.

Under current rent guidelines, rent in rent stabilized apartments can increase 2.5 to 6 percent each year. The city is asking that the maximum increase be raised to 10 percent. On Tuesday, May 13, thousands of New Yorkers protested the increases in Albany. A final decision is set for June.

Mr. Bloomberg says these cuts are necessary in order to recoup some of the deficit, but at what cost to the people in this city? Yes, we are in a financial crisis and we all have to do our best to help the cause and suck up some of the expenses, but not at the expense of our safety and livelihood.

The question remains: was this, is this inevitable? And while there were (and still are) massive protests against proposed cuts in city services, why did most people choose to stay home?

In the future, we have to stop being so lazy. The Horizon urges you to resist just grinning and bearing it. These fare hikes, these budget increases will surely return. The Horizon urges you to remember how these cuts in services affect you. Next time, stand up and tell the powers that be why it’s important to keep these vital services. Otherwise, we will find ourselves in the situation we have today—little room for protests, and little room for our voices to be heard.