Leadership, autobiography by Rudolph Giuliani: on Tax Reform

Rudy Giuliani: First day as mayor: reduced sales tax from 6% to 5%

On my first day as mayor, I sent a letter to Governor Cuomo, asking for epeal of the state's 5% tax, which had been enacted during the first year of my predecessor's administration. This was a small step, but important symbolically. No one in NYC could remember any tax being reduced, and I wanted to send a message that I believed that lower taxes would stimulate more than enough business to offset any loss in revenue. That is exactly what happened. With more visitors, net revenue from the hotel tax was actually higher at 5% than it had been at 6%.

Economists could have a great deal of fun calculating how much of the rise in visitors was attributable to the tax cut. How much of the increased hotel occupancy came from the drop in crime, how much from the improved quality of life? How much from the positive publicity NY get from those two factors? How much from the dynamics in different economies--factors way beyond the control of any mayor? The exact proportions are impossible to know.

Source: Leadership, autobiography by Rudolph Giuliani, p. 43-44 Oct 1, 2002

*The above quotations are from Leadership, autobiography by Rudolph Giuliani with Ken Kurson.* Click here for definitions & background information on Tax Reform. Click here for more quotes by Rudy Giuliani on Tax Reform.
*2008 Presidential contenders on Tax Reform:*
*Republicans:* Chmn.John Cox Mayor Rudy Giuliani Gov.Mike Huckabee Rep.Duncan Hunter Sen.John McCain Rep.Ron Paul Gov.Mitt Romney Sen.Fred Thompson	*Democrats:* Sen.Hillary Clinton Sen.John Edwards Sen.Mike Gravel Rep.Dennis Kucinich Sen.Barack Obama	*Third Parties:* Green: Rep.Cynthia McKinney Socialist: Brian Moore Independent: Mayor Mike Bloomberg
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