Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis submitted testimony on June 3 to the New York City Water Board opposing the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 water and wastewater rate increase.
In her prepared statement, Malliotakis addressed concerns about affordability for residents in her district. “New Yorkers are facing an affordability crisis. Homeowners, seniors on fixed incomes, and small businesses continue to struggle under the weight of rising property taxes, utility costs, government fees, mandates, tolls, and other burdens imposed by city and state government,” she said.
Malliotakis highlighted her role in securing federal infrastructure funding for New York. “As a Member of Congress, I helped secure more than $150 billion in landmark federal infrastructure funding benefiting New York. If ratepayers are now being asked to absorb additional costs to maintain and improve critical infrastructure, they deserve a clear explanation as to why these increases remain necessary,” she said.
She expressed concern that a proposed increase of up to six percent would further strain families already dealing with financial pressures. “A proposed increase of up to 6 percent may appear modest on paper, but for many families it is simply one more burden on top of the growing financial pressures already imposed by city and state government,” Malliotakis said. She called for fiscal discipline from local government before imposing higher rates: “Before asking homeowners, seniors, and small businesses I represent to pay more, government should demonstrate the same fiscal discipline in spending taxpayer dollars.”
Malliotakis concluded her testimony by urging the board not to move forward with the proposal until all alternative funding sources have been exhausted: “I urge the Board to reconsider this proposed increase and demonstrate that every available federal, state, and local funding source, as well as every reasonable cost-saving measure, has been exhausted before imposing additional costs on the people I represent.” She added that water is essential for daily life: “Water is a necessity of daily life, and no one should be asked to pay more for a service they cannot live without.” She also stated that Staten Island and southern Brooklyn residents should not be relied upon as fallback funding sources whenever City Hall seeks additional revenue.
Nicole Malliotakis has served in the U.S. Congress representing New York’s 11th District since 2021 after previously serving in the New York State Assembly from 2011 through 2021; she replaced Max Rose when elected, according to Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis’ office.
