To the Editor:
Governor Andrew Cuomo should lead with an equitable tax policy for all New Yorkers.
New York state homeowners will learn soon enough that unless Albany accompanies the tax levy cap with true local tax relief, and seriously addresses mandates and other sources of rising costs, the only way is out—out of New York.
We ask the governor and our legislators to pay for circuit-breaker relief with extension of the “millionaire’s tax” on true millionaires.
Or, to return the $1.5 billion property tax revenues—realized by rescinding the middle-class STAR program—to property tax relief via circuit-breaker legislation that is before the Legislature right now.
Hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers paid 10 to 50 percent of their income in property taxes this year, last year and the year before.
A tax cap, whatever its merits, does not cut property taxes but assures annual increases in those tax bills.
The ranks of the overly taxed will grow as the recession continues.
New York state’s problem is not state income tax—or maybe it is.
When the governor and those who came before him said, “No new taxes,” they were talking state income taxes.
We at the local level know what follows: Increased local taxes.
Yes, rein in costs with mandate reform, health-care reform and intelligent policy—but do something now that will honestly help the middle class stay in their homes and in New York.
Please, lead with the facts and good public policy for all.
Carole Kraus,Marbletown
Kraus is co-founder of the New York State Property Tax Reform Coalition.
