Property Tax Relief

New York State Commission on Property Tax Relief

Final Report to Governor David A. Paterson

A Message from Commission Chairman Tom Suozzi:

The final report produced by the Commission on Property Tax Relief is a blueprint for how to solve New York State’s property tax problem. The debate is no longer whether or not there is a problem, or what caused the problem. The debate is instead over how to address the crushing school property tax burden our State faces.

Governor Paterson’s leadership, particularly in proposing tax cap legislation soon after our preliminary report, is not only greatly appreciated, but has been essential to what is now a recognition that property taxes are not just a local dilemma, but rather a statewide systemic problem.

The fiscal crisis we now face demands that the State Legislature accept the Governor’s challenge to work together to reduce State spending. Our school districts also need to reduce spending, but to do so the State must enact the historically difficult to achieve changes in state laws and mandates. The Commission’s Final Report joins the property tax cap with mandate relief to empower school districts statewide to reduce costs.

These surely are difficult times. We must provide New Yorkers with property tax relief and we must improve educational quality. To succeed in both efforts, we must give schools the flexibility to redirect existing resources towards educational quality. Mandate reform is essential to that effort.

The Commission is honored to have had the opportunity to develop solutions on behalf of New Yorkers and stand ready to support Governor Paterson and his efforts to address the property tax problem we face in this State.