Sandy Galef on the Issues:
Circuit Breaker Tax Relief
The high burden of property taxes in our area is a subject I hear about regularly as I meet and talk to peopel
throughout the 90th Assembly district. For the past several years I have sponsored
circuit breaker legislation to help make sure that taxpayers do not pay a too-large
portion of their income in property taxes. The circuit breaker connects total household
income to the amount of all property taxes paid in the household and gives a
credit on personal state income tax, or a tax rebate if residents pay more than a
set percentage of their income in tax payments.
In response to a questionnaire in one of my recent newsletters, my constituents supported
the circuit breaker as the first choice in helping with the burdensome property tax
that many New Yorkers face. In fact, a recent statewide poll has indicated that
76 percent of residents also support the circuit breaker, which caps the amount of
property taxes paid based on household income.
The State Assembly voted to approve a circuit breaker bill. Although it was not exactly
the same as the circuit breaker bill I have been working on with Senator Betty Little
for the past two years, the bill that passed followed the concepts in my legislation
and provided $1.7 billion in property tax relief. I view this as a first step in
starting to cap property taxes for seniors, for those of middle income, and for
those who have experienced changes in their earning power.
What is the next step?
The Assembly voted for a circuit breaker bill and the Senate voted for the four
percent tax cap bill. There must be a compromise so that we can finally get real
relief for our taxpayers. Personally, I take the position that New Yorkers need
both a tax cap and a circuit breaker, as well as mandate relief, in order to
lower our education costs and help our struggling taxpayers. I support all three
initiatives.
It is a critical time for you to express your views to your elected officials
and state leaders on these different tax policies. Please join this important statewide discussion.
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