Oppose Property Tax Cap: Support the Circuit Breaker
Level of Government: State
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As a constituent of yours and member of NYSUT, I am outraged that Governor Paterson has once again embraced the concept of imposing a property tax cap on the local resources that can be invested in public education in my school district. On May 20th 2008, 93% of all school budgets that were put before the voters in this state were approved. That alone clearly demonstrates that voters support investing in our schools and the children we serve.
At a time when we are just now beginning to make strides in closing the achievement gap among districts, when all students are beginning to have the programs and services necessary to succeed in the 21st century, the Legislature is being challenged by the Governor to reverse course. That's not the kind of leadership that will help the students in my community.
Tax caps will not address the rising cost of energy to operate our schools or the diesel fuel for our school buses. Tax caps will provide no relief for the rising cost of heath care for our students and employees. As proposed, these tax caps will lock in the current inequity among those who are unable to afford to support our schools and those who can.
We in the local communities want local control of their own programs and services. Imposing an arbitrary, hard tax cap when inflationary costs are beyond local control is tantamount to thumbing your noses at the voters in the district.
I urge you to consider genuine real property tax relief through "circuit breaker" legislation such as S. 4239 (Krueger) that would provide real property tax relief to those who can least afford to carry a disproportionate burden on limited or fixed incomes. Across the board tax caps are nothing more than a sound bite solution to a complex issue.
Our students do not need, as Governor Paterson puts it "a blunt instrument" like a tax cap to ensure real property tax reform. Our students need to know that their elected officials, like their local communities, believe in them and are willing to support them with the resources they need to succeed.
I thank you in advance for your support and urge you to reject any cap on property taxes.
Sincerely,
Your Name Here
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Bill Status Date: 5/11/2009
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