Senator Hannon Announces Bill To Create Property Tax Reform Commission

Senator Kemp Hannon (R-6th S.D.) announced the New York State Senate passed legislation (S.1052) on May 9th to create a Blue Ribbon Property Tax Reform Commission. The commission would examine the property tax system and offer reforms to relieve homeowners and other property owners of their increasing tax burdens. "Nothing is more important than property tax relief," said Senator Hannon. "We were elected to do something about this problem, and this is one more way we can bring the issue of Long Island's high property taxes to the forefront of debate in New York."

The commission would examine this complex issue statewide and, after a thorough review, offer reforms that lead to substantive, long-term relief. The goal is to propose solutions that help property taxpayers throughout New York State. Property tax relief continues to be a top priority for Long Island's delegation in the Senate and this bill would go beyond sending tax rebate checks to look at reforms that could provide long term, structural property tax relief.

"I have supported property tax rebate checks and I delivered more aid to our schools this year to lower the property tax burden. This is not a problem we are going to conquer in one day or in one bill, but little by little we can work to ease the burden," added Hannon.

The eleven-member Blue Ribbon Property Tax Reform Commission would examine and make recommendations on specific areas of reforms for local governments and school systems with the goal of reducing the property tax burden in New York State. The Governor would appoint three members as would the Majority Leader of the Senate and Speaker of the Assembly. The Minority Leaders of the Assembly and Senate would each make one appointment. The commission would include experts in the fields of education and municipal finance and assessment administration.

At the end of calendar year 2007, the commission would report on a reform plan for schools and local governments to lower local tax burdens with a focus on enhanced accountability, alternative financing methods, governance options, property assessment plans, and tax containment policies. The commission also would be charged with examining possible alternatives to the real property tax for funding schools and changes to the property assessment system. A companion bill (A.3005) is being sponsored in the Assembly.