“I thank the Commission and Chairman Thomas Suozzi for their diligence over the past four months, and now it is time for the leadership of this state to act.”
Governor David A. Paterson
June 3, 2008
|
In January 2008, Suozzi was appointed as the Chairman of the New York State Commission on Property Tax Relief, a Commission with Moreland Act powers, by then Governor Eliot Spitzer. When Governor David Paterson took office he signed Executive Order #1 to keep the Commission going right after signing his oath of office.
The Suozzi Commission has traveled around the state since January, holding meetings and soliciting testimony from hundreds of people. The Commission has conducted tremendous in-depth research on New York’s systemic property tax problem. Suozzi delivered the Commission’s preliminary report to the Governor on June 3, 2008. Governor Paterson embraced the main recommendation of the Suozzi Commission and issued a program bill to cap the growth of school property taxes.
The Commission issued a final report on December 1, 2008. (Click here to read)
Property Tax Quick Facts
- New York State has the highest local taxes in America- 79% above the national average
- On average, 62% of property taxes in New York State are school property taxes
- Nassau homeowners pay the second highest property taxes in the entire United States- an average $7,706
- Nassau homeowners pay the third highest property taxes as a percentage of income in the U.S.- 8.1%
- New York State spends more on education than any other state in America- $18,768 per pupil, 50% above the national average
- State Aid is below the national average as a percentage of total cost – New York State aid is 43%, the national average is 47%
- Property taxes have risen an average of 7% over the past decade, dramatically exceeding inflation
|
The Suozzi Commission’s Recommendations:
- A cap on the growth of school property taxes of 4% of 120% of the CPI, whichever is less
- Reexamine the current STAR program and create a new “STAR Circuit Breaker”, targeted to relieve the tax burden on individual homeowners based on their ability to pay
- Reform of state laws and mandates to rein in school expenses
|
