Issues: Property Tax

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R,C,I – 59th District) announced that legislation (S.5889C / A.8644A) he authored to structurally reform the cost administration of New York State’s Medicaid system passed the Senate Social Services Committee with unanimous support today. Gallivan’s bill -- the subject of much attention in the Capital and across the state -- incrementally transfers the local share of Medicaid traditionally paid by county governments to the state over the course eight years.

ALBANY, 01/04/12 – State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I – Oneonta) today commented on Governor Cuomo’s State of the State address:

“Partnering with Governor Cuomo last year, we ended partisan gridlock and a number of successful initiatives were realized.  Now it is time to continue our Empire State resurgence.

“The governor’s focus on creating private sector jobs runs parallel with my own.  His innovative approach to utilizing public/private partnerships is especially appealing and I was pleased he singled out tourism as a sector in need of additional state support.

Ronkonkoma, N.Y. – The Business Council of New York State recently released their 2011 Voters’ Guide, which measures New York State legislators’ “Commitment to improving the state’s economic climate and performance by scoring their support for key business legislation during the 2011 session.” Senator Lee M. Zeldin (R, C, I- Shirley) received the Business Council’s highest score.

ONEONTA, 11/01/11 – State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I – Oneonta) today applauded an administrative decision to reschedule the due date for an “extra” mandated Medicaid payment from counties in 2012.  The slight postponement will save homeowners and taxpayers millions of dollars statewide.

“Local elected leaders are already dealing with enough bureaucratic red tape and increased costs without adding an unintentional calendar quirk to the equation,” said Senator Seward.  “By reversing the mandate that would have forced counties to write an additional check in 2012, taxpayers will avoid a costly expense.”

ONEONTA, 10/17/11 – State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I – Oneonta) today announced he is co-sponsoring legislation (S.5889-B) that will reform the cost administration of New York State’s Medicaid system through a phased-in state takeover - gradually eliminating the local share traditionally paid by county governments and funded by property taxes.

“After working for years to convert the masses in Albany, a property tax cap is finally in place,” said Senator Seward.  “The cap is a major milestone but it needs to be linked to substantial mandate relief for local governments – a step we can take by exorcising the biggest mandate demon – Medicaid.”

Buffalo -- Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R,C,I-Erie, Wyoming, Livingston, Ontario) and Assemblywoman Amy Paulin (D,I,WF-Westchester) were joined by state and local officials from across western New York Wednesday to announce bipartisan legislation (S.5889-B) that will structurally reform the cost administration of New York State’s Medicaid system by incrementally transferring full responsibility for funding the $44 billion program to the State -- gradually eliminating the local share traditionally paid by county governments. Senator Roy McDonald (R,C,I – Saratoga) is also a primary sponsor of the Senate legislation, but was unable to join his colleagues at the press conference.