On November 7, the Common Sense Caucus of the New York City Council sent a letter to President-elect Trump, expressing congratulations on his historic victory and raising concerns on several issues affecting the Chinese community and the well-being of the citizens. The group, composed of members from both parties, sincerely congratulated Trump on his election, stating that it was a clear mandate from the people and indicating that the residents of New York City are ready for change.
The letter emphasized the Common Sense Caucus’s desire to collaborate with Trump and his new administration to address several key issues affecting the lives of the citizens. The specific issues highlighted in the letter include:
(1) Congestion Pricing: The group urged Trump to use his power to instruct the U.S. Department of Transportation to review the congestion pricing policy. They pointed out that allowing New York State to impose this additional tax on the middle class does not help improve the lives of the citizens and does not align with the residents’ best interests.
(2) Sanctuary City Policies: The Common Sense Caucus strongly opposes city and state laws that provide sanctuary for illegal criminals, believing that these policies undermine federal law. They called on the Trump administration to challenge these unfavorable policies in court to address the increasingly serious issues of illegal immigration, gang activities, and crime.
(3) Immigration Crisis: The ongoing immigration crisis has put immense pressure on New York City’s budget, diverting crucial resources that should be used for infrastructure development. The developers and special interest groups profit from setting up shelters, exacerbating community challenges in locations like Floyd Bennett Field, Randall’s Island, and others.
(4) School Vouchers: The group reiterated Trump’s school choice plan proposed during the 2016 campaign and hoped that this commitment would be realized. They advocated for the establishment of school vouchers or tax credit programs to allow parents to choose the most suitable educational options for their children, reducing financial burdens.
(5) State and Local Taxes (SALT) Deduction Cap: Due to the high tax rates in New York State and City, the Common Sense Caucus pointed out that middle-class living was becoming increasingly difficult. They called for solutions to the SALT deduction cap issue, which would significantly ease tax burdens for citizens.
(6) Title IX Protection: The group expressed concerns about the recent modifications to federal Title IX rules by the Biden administration, fearing that it may weaken protections for women and girls in educational institutions. They urged the Trump administration to repeal these harmful new regulations.
(7) Rise of Anti-Semitism: The group voiced concerns about the growing problem of anti-Semitism in New York City, considering it a threat to societal security and cohesion. The Common Sense Caucus urged the Trump administration to take a firm stance and collaborate with local leaders to ensure the safety of all citizens.
In conclusion, the letter stated that the Common Sense Caucus of the New York City Council looks forward to working with the new administration to address these urgent community issues and once again congratulated Trump on his election.
The members of the Common Sense Caucus included nine members from both the Republican and moderate Democratic parties. The co-chairs were Robert F. Holden and Joseph C. Borelli, with other members such as Susan Zhuang, Vickie Paladino, Kalman Yeger, Kristy Marmorato, Inna Vernikov, David Carr, and Joann Ariola.