No issue has affected the lives of Haverstraw residents in the past several decades more than the MIRANT tax certiorari. Ken has consistently worked with state and local leaders to address this problem through immediate financial relief and long-term economic solutions. One of his top priorities in the Assembly is to effectively deal with the tax imbalance resulting from MIRANT and restore fiscal stability to North Rockland.

The following represents some initiatives:

• Secured a $2.5 million annual recurring grant for the North Rockland School District to assist with their debt;
• The Assembly passed a law that authorized the Town of Haverstraw, Town of Stony Point, and the North Rockland School District to bond the debt caused by MIRANT over a period of 30 years, thereby reducing current taxes;
• Zebrowski sponsored and passed a law that prevented a further unfair percentage shift of taxes onto homeowners;
• Zebrowski has regular meetings with local elected officials, MIRANT representatives, and state energy experts to develop long-term solutions.

Haverstraw has a long, proud history and remains a great place to live and work. Ken works closely with your elected officials to pass legislation and secure grants vital to your infrastructure, including:

• Securing over $1.4 million in grants to help Haverstraw’s infrastructure needs including its water treatment plant and curb installation;
• Securing a grant for the construction of a room in the Haverstraw Community Center;
• Securing grants to help install a surveillance camera system in downtown Haverstraw to prevent crime;
• Securing a grant to replace softball equipment for youth sports programs;
• Repaving roads in poor condition in the village of Pomona;
• Funding a new playground for children at the Bowline Point Park;
• Assisting the Village of Haverstraw with funds to update its record management system.

The MIRANT tax challenge has had its worst effect on the school budget and school taxes. As your Assemblyman, Ken advocated for your school district, including:

• Securing over $5 million in special aid and advocating for an additional $2.5 million in this year’s budget;
• Pushed to restore over 40% of the Governor’s cuts to North Rockland Schools.

Ken is constantly working for a long-term solution to the suburban property tax problem. In the meantime, it is essential that North Rockland receive its fair share of State Funding so that property taxes aren’t pushed up even further. As of the printing of this newsletter, the State budget is late. One major disagreement between the governor and the Assembly is school funding. In the Assembly budget plan, North Rockland School District would receive an additional $1.4 million.

Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski meets with Village of Haverstraw Mayor Michael Kohut in Albany.