THOUSANDS MARCH TO CITY HALL CALLING FOR FAIR-SHARE TAX REFORM

Photo by Lisa Quiñones

Two hundred PSC members and hundreds of CUNY students turned out for a massive demonstration for “Fair Share” tax reform, held March 5 in Lower Manhattan. “Raise taxes, not tuition!” union members and students chanted as they marched from BMCC to City Hall, where they joined 70,000 New Yorkers in a loud and growing demand for fair taxes as the key to resolving the State's revenue crisis.  

PSC President Barbara Bowen and City Tech student Selah Brown spoke from the stage.  

“I came to CUNY because it was affordable, and it is the path to New York's future,” said Brown, an aspiring optometrist. “But budget cuts could delay my dream – or force me to drop out. That's why I think those at the top should pay a little more. And when I'm at the top, I'll pay my share to help students like me.”  

After Bowen led the energetic crowd in chanting “We’re fired up!” she spoke about CUNY’s economic impact. “Enrollment at the City University is at a record high, as thousands of New Yorkers turn to CUNY in this frightening economy,” Bowen said. “Yet CUNY is being brought to its knees by budget cuts.” State investment in CUNY was already reduced by 26% between 1991 and 2005, though enrollment grew by 50,000 students since 2000.  

“The sane solution is for those who can afford it to pay a little more in taxes,” Bowen told the crowd. “By enlarging the state's tax base and enriching public life, CUNY graduates will repay New York's investment a thousand-fold.” Bowen's speech was featured on WABC (click here) among other outlets. 

For those who earn more, the $600 tuition increase proposed for CUNY may sound like an affordable expense. But many CUNY students said it could endanger their education. “Now I’m applying for food stamps,” said Delayne Demorgandie, a student at BMCC. “It’s unfair.” 

“I’m here because I’m a full-time student and I take care of my mom,” said BMCC student Hakima Akter, who carried a banner protesting the cuts. “If they cut my aid it’ll be much harder for me to come to school.” 

Tim Shortell, associate professor of sociology at Brooklyn College, said there is a clear alternative to a policy of budget cuts and increased tuition. “The solution is to roll back the tax cuts on the wealthiest that have been imposed over the last 15 years,” Shortell said. “Then there would be no need for the $600 tuition increase, which taxes the wrong group of people.” 

Cutting CUNY’s budget will shortchange students’ education, said Howard Pflanzer, adjunct assistant professor in theater at John Jay College. “I’m concerned about both the tuition hikes and layoff of adjuncts,” Pflanzer said. “Already the University has been preemptively cutting sections.” 

Many of the protestors – unionized workers, social service providers, and members of community organizations – held signs advocating a tax increase on those with higher incomes. From the podium, politicians, grassroots leaders and labor officials reiterated the need for “fair share reform.” 

“People who make more should pay more,” said City Council Speaker Christine Quinn. The crowd, which stretched for several blocks up Broadway, responded with cheers and applause. The rally was organized by the One New York Coalition, made up of more than 200 community groups, unions and non-profit organizations. Similar protests were held the same day in Syracuse, Westchester, Buffalo, Albany and other towns and counties across the state. 

Despite the potential devastation from the proposed cuts, the mood of the crowd at City Hall was optimistic. “They say cut back, we say fight back,” was a common chant. “I think if we keep protesting we’ll prevent the cuts,” said CUNY student Adriana Escandón.  

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