Submitted by the Office of the Mayor
OSWEGO, NY – Oswego Mayor Randolph F. Bateman announced support for the new public advocacy Web site, www.StopTheTaxShift.org
The Web site, which was developed as a project of the New York State Conference of Mayors (NYCOM), is designed to help policymakers, the media, the public and New York’s taxpayers fully understand the property tax impact of decisions made in Albany.
“This Web site will be extremely beneficial in helping us explain, to both our legislators and our constituents, that what goes on at the State Capitol has a tremendous impact here in Oswego,†said Mayor Bateman. “As much as local officials try to make this point, it is difficult to fully appreciate that Albany’s actions can force higher local taxes. StopTheTaxShift.org clarifies this relationship in a way that everyone – politicians, local officials, and our residents – can understand.â€ÂÂ
Mayors from throughout New York State unveiled StopTheTaxShift.org while meeting in Albany to formulate their legislative priorities for 2009.
In addition to identifying the impact the state’s municipal aid program – AIM – has on the property tax, StopTheTaxShift.org also analyzes the real impact numerous state mandates have on the capacity of local officials to manage government costs consistent with the desires of their constituents.
The Web site’s home page also features a more descriptive Mandate of the Week, where each week a new mandate will be highlighted.
“I encourage everyone to take the time to go to StopTheTaxShift.org and learn about the problems state tax shifting can cause,†Bateman said. “Together, we can protect property taxpayers from state tax shifts.â€ÂÂ
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