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GOVERNOR: Support a Circuit Breaker, Oppose a Tax Cap

Level of Government: Governor

As a New York voter and a taxpayer, I fully understand the need for property tax relief in New York state. Rather than enacting an ill conceived property tax cap that limits the amount of revenue school districts may raise locally and jeopardizes the education progress we are making in closing the achievement gap between rich and poor school districts, I respectfully ask for your help in passing a more equitable and progressive, "circuit breaker" tax relief system..

The circuit breaker is considerably more progressive than the recently proposed "regressive" property tax cap because it would tie the maximum property-tax burden of a homeowner to his or her income. Currently, lower income households pay a far higher share of their income to property taxes than higher income households. The proposed property tax cap perpetuates this regressive tax system.

By contrast, the circuit breaker would provide immediate relief to seniors and low and middle-class homeowners struggling with high property taxes - those who need it the most. It will help to insure New Yorkers against unreasonable tax levels in the future. It is not just controlled spending or a one time benefit.

When a circuit breaker is combined with full implementation of the state's commitment to increased school aid, tax relief is provided without harming the quality of education or jeopardizing funding for crucial public services.

There is considerable public support for a circuit breaker. A July 2008 poll conducted by the Siena Research Institute found that 75 percent of voters back a circuit breaker that would limit property taxes to a percentage of homeowners' incomes and fund that break through a tax on millionaires. Given the choice of just one they favor the circuit breaker 52-36 over the tax cap.

In addition, a poll conducted by a tax policy group TREND NY showed that voters overwhelmingly support legislation that would limit a taxpayer's total property taxes rather than a cap on local school taxes. By more than a two-to-one margin, respondents preferred an income-based cap on their taxes over a cap on local school levies. When given the specific choice of a 4 percent school tax cap or a limit of 5 percent of their income for their total property tax bill, voters favored the circuit breaker five to one.

Thank you for your consideration and work on this important matter. Your help in supporting a reasonable tax relief plan will send a strong message to our schools that you are willing to provide students with the resources they need to succeed.

Sincerely,

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