Department of Assessment

ASSESSOR LEVINSON CALLS ON STATE TO PAY SCHOOL TAXES FOR TRUMP’S JONES BEACH PROJECT

MEDIA CONTACT: Randolph Yunker (516) 571-2490

(Mineola, NY) Board of Assessors Chairman Harvey Levinson today called on legislators to pass legislation to require the state to compensate the Wantagh Public School District for property tax revenues that will not be paid on real estate developer Donald Trump’s $40 million dollar “Trump on the Ocean” project at Jones Beach State Park.

“The practice of allowing for-profit entities to operate in public state parks without paying any property taxes must come to an end,” stated Assessor Harvey Levinson. “The private catering facility does not serve a public purpose and the Governor and State Parks Commissioner should not be selling the state’s tax exempt status at the expense of homeowners who struggle to pay some of the highest school property taxes in the country.”

While Assessor Levinson has yet to see a copy of the state’s lease agreement with Donald Trump and Steve Carl – the operator of another tax-free for-profit catering facility in Bethpage State Park – he has directed his senior counsel to determine whether the 40-year lease falls within the guidelines under one of the exceptions to the general exemption for state property.

“Regardless of the outcome of our review of exemption law, state lawmakers should make it clear that property tax exemptions should only be granted on state land when the project or facility is for a valid public purpose,” stated Assessor Levinson. “Without legislative action, the Wantagh School District will lose over $1.4 million dollars a year in additional property tax revenue.”

Prior to his announced agreement to build a restaurant/banquet center at Jones Beach, Mr. Trump donated 436 acres in Westchester and Putnam Counties to the state for open space preservation to be called the Donald J. Trump State Park.

“Donald Trump has never been shy about placing his name on his many real estate holdings,” stated Assessor Harvey Levinson. “Hopefully the state lawmakers will make every effort to make sure that the Trump name is placed on a check made out to the Wantagh Public School District for his fair share of property taxes.”