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Mayor Michael Bissonette on meeting with Congress to discuss the local impact of the fiscal cliff.
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And 63 US marriage that sent a letter urging congress to get its act together and avert the fiscal -- a bipartisan delegation of these marriages in Washington to have this message on to that and what have a mayor Michael -- and out of Chicopee Massachusetts joins me now thanks for being with us -- -- -- you seated air will you CNN and -- the single most important message you're gonna give them.
Well I think it's time to break the deadlock the grid lock down here I hear back home of the -- cured all the time.
These are going to be critical decisions and it's really about the fabric of government.
What are we gonna pay.
What services you're gonna get for what we pay that's really the issues down here and -- we hope to make some points to.
A leader Pelosi and senator Reid and Vice President Biden later this afternoon.
Yes sir and but telling -- -- -- of the -- of baseball Coach bases loaded tell the pitcher throws strikes.
The question is how you do it do you guys the -- exactly one -- To hike taxes one point six trillion dollars over the next ten years -- President Obama says we should do.
Well I think we've got to sat some ground rules for balanced approach.
You know.
The election's over elections have consequences so the reality is that some rates are gonna go up.
Some people are gonna pay more some programs -- he reliant are gonna get cut its the only way we can get back to fiscal solvency last month alone in October.
The United States government spent -- 140 billion more than they took it that's unsustainable.
It sure -- offshore assets we've got over cash corporate accounts that we need to bring home.
We rest soldiers need to bring home the let's start investing that money here in the United States.
-- yet -- -- we'd we stop spitting on war and then people like keep spending get here what I.
Not spend -- you may first frankly sound more like spenders and budget -- your letter that you're sitting.
Talked about the devastating impact of all the -- -- cuts.
Our cities too dependent now on federal money you're 170 million dollar budget what percentage of -- come from the Fed's.
What percentage of my federal my -- city budget yeah hero.
-- why do you care Fed's cut spending.
Well because there are programs that are essential that education.
The social services.
To things that make up the fabric of communities.
You know we set the stage for economic investment in our cities and towns.
It we have to have resources should be able to do -- -- -- you know roads are expensive.
Water and sewer pipes are expensive in businesses that want to make an investment in my -- ask -- first how are your electric rates are you water sewer rates.
Right -- -- capturing yet so yes sir you will hear how we want to be partners with the prime time you're not enemies but but -- you've got -- if a 160 million dollar annual budget your -- got a ten million dollar surplus this year.
Yet you're proposing raising taxes on your business is locally by 621.
Dollars per year why.
Right -- and surplus why raise taxes on business are.
Well the reason is is pretty simple the legislature sets that.
And it's at a 171%.
Of what the residential base so what we did was -- reduce that 171.
-- -- 161.
Since I've been mayor we've cut business taxes 25% off the previous high.
So absolutely businesses pay more it's a split tax rate but also our homeowners right are getting an essential break.
Yeah Abbott the homeowners they just pay more when they go to the businesses he is raising taxes on thank you for being let us mayor Michael definitely appreciate it like watching today sir.
Thanks so much for having me.
