Issues: Property Tax

Legislation Approved By Senate and Assembly Would Treat

Co-Ops and Condo Owners More Fairly

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo unveiled the proposed 2013-14Executive Budget and Management Plan that builds on two years of balanced, fiscally responsible budgeting and invests in economic development, education reform, rebuilding after Superstorm Sandy, provides support to local governments and school districts, and includes no new taxes or fees.

Highlights of the Executive Budget:

· Eliminates $1.3 billion budget gap with no new taxes or fees. The expected gap for 2013-14 was projected to be $17.4 billion prior to the last two responsible budgets.

· Holds spending increases below 2 percent for third consecutive year.

Tax Cap Confusion

I am sure you can imagine the phone calls and emails my office took this week as homeowners received their school tax statements. As a pretty seasoned public servant, I can tell you that as sure as the moon raises the tides, taxes raise blood pressures.

This time was no different, except people were asking me, “What happened to the tax cap?” In these cases, they knew their school district had voted to keep the budget at the cap, so they were understandably shocked when they received tax increases of much larger rates.

I wanted to give you a quick update on our progress in making New York State a more affordable place to live and work.

For far too long, high property taxes have made it tough for hardworking families to balance their household budgets, and seniors to afford to stay in their homes.

High property taxes not only strain family finances, they also hurt our economy and cost us jobs. That’s why property tax relief is one of my top priorities as your state Senator.

We are achieving positive results.

Our historic property tax cap is putting the brakes on runaway property tax increases. We also have reduced government spending, and reformed pension and Medicaid mandates on local governments to rein in the property tax burden.

Area Business Leaders Laud Choice of Western New York Senator  

ALBANY - Senate Majority Leader Dean G. Skelos (R-C-I, Rockville Centre) announced today that Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R-C-I, Elma) has been appointed Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business.

     Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) announced that the New York State Senate recently passed legislation he cosponsors to restore the STAR property tax rebate check program. Restoring the program would deliver valuable property tax savings to senior citizens and middle class families.

     “Long Island families pay some of the country’s highest property taxes and many are stretching their family budgets thin to survive in this economy. They need real and direct tax relief. Restoring the STAR rebate check program would deliver valuable property tax savings to overtaxed, overburdened Long Island families and allow them to keep more of their hard earned money,” said Senator Fuschillo.

State Senator Lee M. Zeldin (R, C, I- Shirley) announced Senate approval today of legislation he co-sponsored to restore the Middle Class STAR Rebate check program.

This program was originally designed to give relief to overtaxed property owners. Unfortunately, the property tax rebate was repealed in 2009 under the leadership of the former NYC based Senate Democratic Majority. This is an important program that gives help to homeowners who are struggling to pay local property taxes. With homeowners experiencing difficulty with their finances because of the troubled state of our economy, it is more important than ever to re-instate the STAR Rebate Program.