SD-3 Democratic candidate Brian Foley, SD-6 Democratic candidate Kristen McElroy, SD-15 Democratic candidate Joseph Addabbo, SD-55 Democratic candidate David Nachbar and SD-56 Democratic candidate Rick Dollinger all co-authored a letter to their respective opponents and current state senators asking them to pass a property tax cap.
Dear Senators Robach, Alesi, Maltese, Hannon and Trunzo:
With bipartisan acknowledgement that middle class New Yorkers are suffering under an untenable property tax burden, we were greatly disappointed that you and your Republican colleagues rejected, without debate or discussion, all of the recommendations of the New York State Commission on Property Tax Relief.
We have watched as the Republican Senate, in its usual fashion, has produced a great volume of speeches, press releases and taxpayer-funded mailings but has yet to actually get anything done as far as easing families' tax burden. This is unacceptable.
People are desperate for relief and want some sort of tax cap. Relief for local governments from unfunded mandates, which directly drive up our property taxes, is long overdue. And one of the most important elements of the Commission's recommendations, the property tax circuit breaker, would introduce an element of tax fairness into the current system of local taxation.
The bottom line is this: Middle class and working families need property tax relief now.
Cutting property taxes through an expanded circuit breaker would provide relief to those who need it most and create a much fairer system of taxes, as the tax breaks would be focused on middle class families rather than the wealthiest homeowners in a community. Capping people's property taxes based on income, like the circuit breaker does, would give real relief, right now, instead of more political gimmicks.
We understand that these are difficult issues, but it's your job to deal with difficult issues. Unfortunately, you have refused to even bring these issues up for a debate or vote in the Senate. New York's beleaguered taxpayers deserve better.
We urge you to act on the Commission's recommendations before you start your summer vacation next week. Legislators must listen to New Yorkers who are at the breaking point: New York State must pass a circuit breaker to cut the amount working families are paying in property taxes, and you must give local governments and taxpayers relief from the unfunded mandates you've passed over the years.
Doing nothing simply cannot be an option now. If you can't find the strength to be a leader on this issue now; if you do not have the integrity to stand up and fight for what is necessary and right; if you are willing to bow down and accept continued failure on this critical issue, it is time for you (and the voters who elected you) to reconsider your career as a State Senator.
Sincerely,
Joseph Addabbo, Richard Dollinger, Brian Foley, Kristen McElroy and David Nachbar
To my knowledge, none of these Democratic candidates have fully functioning websites. Dollinger does have one "coming soon" but the rest don't have anything, at least that I can find.
