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WFP, NYFF And Legislators To Propose Alternative Property Tax Cap

by: robert.harding

Mon May 19, 2008 at 10:12:36 AM EDT

Just days before the New York State Commission on Property Tax Relief releases its report that will include a proposal for a property tax cap, the Working Families Party, New Yorkers for Fiscal Fairness, Fiscal Policy Institute and 30 members of the Assembly and Senate will hold a press conference to announce an alternative plan for a property tax cap.

Coming days before the Suozzi Commission unveils its own property tax proposal - expected to include a cap on the rate of growth of local property taxes - the groups will propose an alternative plan that would cut property taxes for the middle class and seniors. The plan would be financed by a partial repeal of the Pataki income tax cuts for the wealthiest 1% of New Yorkers.
The proposal, known as an enhanced "circuit breaker" will reduce the property tax burden for working families and seniors without undermining vital public services; the plan would also apply to renters - in effect providing a tax credit for tenants throughout the state.

The press conference is at noon today in the LCA Room. Should be an interesting and strong proposal.

robert.harding :: WFP, NYFF And Legislators To Propose Alternative Property Tax Cap

Tags: WFP, NYFF, New York State Legislature, Property Taxes, (All Tags)

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WFP, NYFF And Legislators To Propose Alternative Property Tax Cap | 4 comments

Same old song and dance? (0.00 / 0)

I've heard this story before. I hear it every two years.

Every one of these politicians is up for election this fall, so of course they've got to look like heroes. I'd really like to see some independent economists look this tax cap over and see just how viable it is. I've grown wary of politicians and their election year promises and pandering.

My biggest question is: Does the state end up reimbursing the towns, villages, and school district of the full value of the property taxes that property owners are no longer paying into the system? Are we going to choke the life out of our communities?

If you want real tax reform, let's curb the abusive discretionary spending by our legislators and state senators. The incumbents mentioned in the article should promise to stop the rampant abuse of members items, which are large, discretionary accounts that they dip into to curry favor among critical demographic groups in their districts.

Member items are nothing but "incumbent insurance" to insure that these politicians get reelected. And who pays to insure their incumbencies? We taxpayers do. We unwittingly insure that these politicians remain incumbents and they in turn treat their districts as their own personal baronies, doling out millions at their own, unbridled discretion.

by: cliffweathers @ Mon May 19, 2008 at 14:34:58 PM UTC

by: you @ soon

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Again, the real answer would be so simple. (0.00 / 0)

Do away with the "contingency" provision that protects school boards from the voters.

by: Steaming Pile @ Mon May 19, 2008 at 14:36:31 PM UTC

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The other problem is that another Democratic Constituency (4.00 / 1)

The NYSTA is against capping property taxes for schools. The unified answer is the replace the property school tax with a progressive income tax!