NEWS FROM NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY
MINORITY LEADER JAMES N. TEDISCO

Contact: Phil Oliva, (518) 455-3756
Email: tediscj@assembly.state.ny.us
For Immediate Release:
Friday, March 24, 2006

Tedisco Demands Sweeping Property Tax Cuts as Part of State Budget
Plans to force open discussion at next Leaders' meeting

Calling skyrocketing property taxes the "number one issue negatively affecting New Yorkers from Suffolk County to Erie County," Assembly Minority Leader James N. Tedisco (R,C,I-Schenectady-Saratoga) today demanded swift action on real property tax cuts for all state residents. Tedisco's comments were made at a general conference Leaders' meeting convened at the State Capitol.

"In our budget negotiations thus far, there has been no open discussion of the single-most important issue we face - property tax relief," Tedisco said. "As I travel throughout my district and across the state, the crippling burden of property taxes is on everyone's lips. State residents are screaming for relief, and we, as elected officials, must do everything in our power to deliver it."

"These costs are the albatross around our collective necks," Tedisco continued. "It is our responsibility to free our constituency from this onus so they can keep more of their hard-earned money."

Tedisco explained that his property tax relief program, Saving Our Homes, would not only provide immediate relief, but would also enact policies aimed at saving property taxpayers millions over the next several years. His proposals would save the average homeowner $715 annually, and the average senior citizen homeowner $1,256 annually.

Saving Our Homes includes the following measures:

  • STAR Excelsior
  • Restoration Aid to School Districts
  • A Co-STAR Program
  • Medicaid Reform
  • Restrictions on Unfunded Mandates

"Attaining the dream of home ownership is no longer a reality for many New Yorkers," Tedisco said. "The exorbitant costs citizens are forced to pay are driving them out of their homes and out of our state. We have reached the 11th hour. The time to act is now."



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