Senator Ball, “Hudson Valley nightmare will soon be over”
Albany, N.Y. – (06/25/11) – It’s the end of a five year battle for Senator Greg Ball (R, C – Patterson) who is proud to announce the passage of an historic piece of legislation that caps property taxes in New York State. The bill (S.5856), which Senator Ball began advocating for during his days in the Assembly, will cap property taxes to 2 percent, plus provide local schools and governments with badly needed mandate relief.
“Sky high property taxes have made the American dream of home ownership a nightmare for many New Yorkers,” said Senator Ball. “I’m proud to say that nightmare, both throughout New York and in the Hudson Valley, will soon be over,” added Ball.
Senator Ball has been a champion for property tax cap legislation and mandate relief since his first Assembly term in 2006. As an Assemblyman, he was the prime sponsor and first to introduce legislation that capped property taxes and provided a local option to freeze taxes for seniors. In 2008, the then-Assemblyman rode with a group of tax cap supporters on a bus dubbed the “Tax Cap Express,” from the Hudson Valley to Albany, N.Y.
The legislation will cap school and local government taxes to 2 percent or the Consumer Price Index (CPI), whichever is lower. The bill also gives school district the opportunity to override the tax cap by holding a 60 percent majority vote.
“What a testament to the efficacy in government to be able to come around on such tough issues and pass such a comprehensive piece of legislation,” said Senator Ball. “This is one of the toughest caps in the country. It is structurally sound and will do more to help blue collar families, small business owners, seniors and young professionals, than any other bill,” added Ball.
The bill establishes a New York State Mandate Relief Council. The Council, made up of 11 members nominated by the Governor and Legislature, will examine mandates to determine if they are unsound, unduly burdensome or costly. The State Comptroller will issue a detailed report on the costs and effects of unfunded mandates, and the council will establish procedures for repealing these unfunded mandates. In order to prevent new unfunded mandates, the bill also requires future legislation, regarding local schools and governments, contain a fiscal note detailing the potential costs of the bill.
For more information or to speak with Senator Ball, please contact Ali Skinner: (845) 200-9716 [5].
