Renzi: We Need A Property “Tax Cap” Now!

Submitted article

David A. Renzi, candidate for State Senate in the 48th District, today called for passage of Governor Paterson’s “tax cap” on property taxes as a way to provide long overdue relief to families who are at risk of being taxed right out of their homes.

Renzi said the Legislature’s top priority must be to provide relief for overburdened taxpayers, and he insisted that more state aid – not higher taxes – will help strengthen our local schools.

“Skyrocketing food and fuel costs are stretching family budgets to the breaking point, and rising taxes add to the burden of hardworking families who are desperately in need of relief,” said Renzi. “It’s time for our elected officials to stand up for overburdened taxpayers and pass a tax cap that provides genuine relief.”

And Renzi said that, along with the tax cap, state government also must increase its commitment to local education by providing a fair and adequate level of aid to schools in the North Country and Central New York.

“The tax cap represents real relief for homeowners. But we also must work to make sure our schools receive a fair and adequate share of state aid to make sure our children get the great education they deserve. Unfortunately that’s not the case right now,” Renzi said.

In this year’s state budget, schools in the 48th Senate District received $1 million less in state aid than originally proposed by Governor Spitzer, even though the Legislature increased total funding for schools statewide by $400 million.

“More state aid went to schools downstate and outside the 48th Senate District, and our school districts sought to backfill that loss with higher property taxes.

“As Senator, I will work to make sure that schools don’t have to choose between higher taxes and cuts in the classroom by working to make sure that every school gets the aid and resources it needs to give our children a great education,” Renzi said.

New Yorkers pay the highest property taxes in the nation – 49 percent higher than the national average, Renzi said.

The 48th Senate District includes Jefferson, Oswego and part of St. Lawrence Counties.

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