11/8/2012
By Ivan Pereira
New York political groups and elected officials say President Barack Obama’s second term will bring relief to residents who are yearning for income equality and city growth.
A coalition of city representatives, including Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, and government watchdog organizations held a rally Thursday calling on the commander-in-chief to protect infrastructure jobs and do more to help the 99%.
Although some critics have said Obama’s victory wouldn’t change the balance of wealth, Camille Rivera, the executive director of United New York, which helped organize the rally, said Obama couldn’t ignore income inequality.
“Many people have been driving this message of inequality,” she said. “I think the president has over the last two years changed his message and said we need to tax the wealthy.”
Rep. Carolyn Maloney agreed, saying the GOP’s plan to cut services would have been detrimental to the Big Apple. The Democratic House member, who represents Manhattan and Queens, said the president has been pushing for more focus on the nation’s infrastructure programs.
Following Hurricane Sandy’s destruction, federal investment in projects such as the Second Avenue subway would go a long way, according to the congresswoman.
“We are trying to invest in our infrastructure. That grows the economy, that grows the pot,” Maloney said.
Hector Figueroa, the president of 32BJ SEIU, the largest property services union in the country, said the Occupy Wall Street movement created a lot of dialogue about how to tax residents.
He predicted Obama would take a tougher stance on the 1% and might increase their taxes.
