ALBANY – In a year that’s been overshadowed by charges of corruption and gridlock, state lawmakers brought this year’s legislative session to a close last week, and Chenango County’s reps in Albany are hailing where they found common ground on both sides of the aisle, particularly in the way of tax relief and education.
Among the highlights of deadline deals: an extension of the property tax cap that was set to expire in 2016. The tax cap, which has saved taxpayers an estimated $7.6 billion since enacted in 2012, will now be extended until 2020, which local representatives agree is good news for homeowners.
Also, $3.1 billion in new property tax rebates was made available for STAR-eligible homeowners over the next four years, starting in 2016. When combined with existing tax freeze checks planned for next year, a total $900 million in property tax relief checks will be sent statewide – an average of roughly $350 per eligible homeowner.
“Our efforts during crunch time paid off ­– the property tax cap has been extended for four more years,” stated Assemblyman Gary Finch (R-Springport). “Additionally, our negotiations in Albany netted a $1.3 billion property tax rebate for an estimated 2.5 million homeowners. You never know when a family is going to need to deal with an unexpected expense ... I’m pleased to know that we will be providing families with a small boost to give them some breathing room at a time when they need it most.”
Assemblyman Clifford Crouch (R-Bainbridge) echoed similar sentiments, despite a session in which he said “any chance of good-intentioned legislation was ground to a halt” by the resignations of both the assembly and senate leaders and “gridlock over the governor’s and New York City’s progressive agendas.”
“In the late innings of session, however, the legislature extended the property tax cap, with the addition of a circuit breaker to help struggling homeowners Upstate,” stated Crouch. “On other fronts, comprehensive state mandate relief measures to relieve the crushing tax burden that affects our taxpayers, businesses, schools and local governments remains elusive and must be addressed. Without this relief, Upstate New York will continue to struggle under the state’s ever increasing property tax pressures.”
In addition to tax relief, State Senator Tom Libous (R-Binghamton) further noted successful changes made in education. With the passage of the 2015-2016 state budget, schools will receive an increase of $1.4 billion statewide, bringing total general support for public schools to $23.5 billion. Libous said another highlight is the passage of education reforms to provide greater transparency and accountability. These reforms include enacting new measures that require state exams in grades 3-8 be “grade and time appropriate” and establish a content review committee to monitor exam questions to make sure they meet appropriate age and grade level standards.