Making it right for Erie County taxpayers
MARY LOU RATH New York State Senator
As a sponsor of legislation that expands STAR, the state's school tax relief program, for Erie County, I applaud the Erie County Legislature's approval last Thursday of a similar measure.

This initiative is an example of identifying an inequity in the current system and pushing forward on a plan to make it right for Erie County taxpayers.

When legislators Weinstein, Mills and Locklear presented their resolution last September, I began to investigate the issue and found that Erie County is one of five counties across the state that share a part of the sales tax with their school districts. This affects property owners because STAR savings are calculated only on the portion of the school taxes that are paid through the property tax bill.

Legislation I drafted in November and introduced in January will provide that STAR savings are calculated as if the entire school tax had been paid through the tax bill, adding back the portion paid through sales tax. This measure will mean increased savings under both STAR and Senior STAR, as well as under the STAR Rebate program initiated last year.

I am working with the Assembly and the governor to get this measure enacted as soon as possible. Assemblyman Robin Schimminger intends to sponsor the bill in the A s s e m b l y.

Should this measure become law, it has been estimated the approximate savings for Erie County taxpayers would be $24 million, with individual taxpayers receiving $150 to $400 a year in additional tax savings.

The Erie County resolution passed Thursday was amended in order to be linked to Gov. Eliot Spitzer's tax cut proposal. The governor's proposal, not as aggressive as a Senate tax cut measure that was recently passed, still must be worked out in the budget process.

The Senate measure would: 1) expand the Senate-initiated property tax relief program, which will greatly increase the amount of last year's property tax rebate check, 2) establish a blue ribbon commission to make reforms to help reduce property taxes and 3) give voters greater input on the local property tax rate.

The Senate plan is important because not only does it address short-term tax relief, but also it establishes a foundation for long-term tax relief.

The blue ribbon commission will examine the underlying cause of elevated property taxes by looking at the assessment process, financing of schools and local governments, tax saving programs and possible alternatives of funding. This measure also has provisions for giving local taxpayers greater control over their tax rates.

I look forward to working with the governor and local legislators to craft this plan so that it provides the maximum benefit to Erie County taxpayers.