When did NYC turn into Gimme City?

By Ellis Henican | Special to amNewYork

May 23, 2008

Gimme, gimme, gimme...

That's all we're hearing these days. Gimme more of your money for taxes, fares and fees.

The Yankees demand another $350 million in tax-free city financing or they won't finish their new stadium.

The MTA wants $500 million from the state. If they don't get it, they say, expect a 25-cent fare hike.

And not to be outdone, New York State's impoverished judges are suing over their paltry $136,000 pay. They say they deserve at least a 28 percent salary hike, to $175,000 a year.

Surprise, surprise: A Manhattan judge has agreed with them. "Unconstitutional," Justice Edward Lehner harrumphed at his colleagues' -- and his own -- current slave-wages.

So what's going on in Gimme City? And who's supposed to pay?

You know the answer. Look in the mirror. You'll see. "The city that never sleeps" is fast becoming "the city that always has its hand out."

It isn't just that things keep costing more. We're all used to that. Ask anyone who's rented an apartment lately. Ask anyone who's bought a pack of cigarettes or a carton of milk.

It's a whole lot more than that. It's something grubbier, something more relentless, something that knows no limit or decency.

Prime example: The MTA. The transit chiefs got a bus-and-subway hike a few months ago, promising they wouldn't return for another one until 2010 at the earliest. And now look: They're shaking the cup again.

This is quite an achievement, when you think about it. The MTA has a $368-million SURPLUS this year.

Uptown, downtown, in the boroughs too: It's the same gimme story. Abu Dhabi's buying the Chrysler Building. Why not? New Yorkers can't afford it any more. Ground Zero's redevelopment is turning into a money pit? No one's surprised. The contract says developer Larry Silverstein will be paid about $300,000 for each day's delay. You know who will be covering that.

But at least we have bold leaders, keeping an eye on things.

Gov. David Paterson is so steamed about Ground Zero's budget-busting delays, he just fired off a snappy letter. Take that, Port Authority.

And now he's clamping down on the MTA, appointing a 12-member committee to figure out why it keeps asking commuters to dole out more.

Take that, Gimme City.