Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF-Sag Harbor) announced he helped pass legislation that targets significant tax relief to middle-class families and senior citizens by providing rebate checks and extending the property tax cap, and addresses concerns from parents and teachers over standardized testing (A.8323).

“Property taxes are straining family budgets and making it difficult for East End residents to make ends meet,” Assemblyman Thiele said. “By providing property tax rebate checks, we’re putting money directly back in the pockets of hardworking New Yorkers and making life more affordable.”

Providing direct property tax relief

The legislation includes a new four-year, $3.1 billion property tax rebate program that will give homeowners much-needed property tax relief. The rebates will be provided in addition to homeowners’ School Tax Relief (STAR) benefits and are contingent upon schools and municipalities staying within the 2 percent property tax cap.

After the first year, the program will operate similar to the “circuit breaker” proposal long supported by the Assembly, where the amount of the rebates will be based on a household’s annual income for families earning up to $275,000.

Senior citizens in the Enhanced STAR program will receive the property tax rebates, which will increase to 34 percent of their current savings over the next four years. This will go a long way in helping those seniors who are living on fixed incomes and struggling to stay in their homes, Thiele noted.

Additionally, a program created last year will send a second rebate check in 2016 to residents whose school district and municipality take steps to reduce costs and adhere to the tax cap.

“For years, skyrocketing property taxes prevented families and small businesses from putting down roots here in our state,” Assemblyman Thiele said. “But we’re actively changing that by continuing our efforts to lower taxes and make New York State a more attractive place to live and work.”

Extending the property tax cap

The property tax cap limits the amount local governments and school districts can raise their property tax rate annually to no more than 2 percent or the rate of inflation, whichever is less. The tax cap – which has saved taxpayers over $7 billion since it took effect – will be extended for another four years under the legislative agreement.

Reforms to the tax cap will allow exemptions for BOCES programs’ capital expenses as well as payments in lieu of taxes (PILOTs) agreements. By taking BOCES payments and PILOTs into account, it will help school districts and local governments make necessary investments for the future while keeping their commitment to lowering the property tax burden.

“Homeowners no longer have to worry about double-digit property tax increases thanks to the local property tax cap,” said Thiele. “Extending the tax cap will provide the kind of real relief East End taxpayers deserve, and it ensures our families can afford to stay in their homes, and businesses can continue to thrive.”

Improving education for all students

Addressing the concerns of parents and teachers, the legislation requires the State Education Department to release significantly more questions and answers from standardized English language arts and math tests used for grades 3 through 8, providing teachers additional information they can utilize in the classroom. Additionally, it requires that the department establish a content review committee to ensure those exams are fair and grade level-appropriate. The bill also requires plans for new teacher evaluations to take into account certain factors that can affect student performance, including poverty, status as an English language learner, disability and prior academic history.

“We’ve heard the concerns of parents and teachers, and we’re committed to reforming our education system,” said Assemblyman Thiele. “The main goal is to do what’s best for our kids, and that’s why we’re getting the focus back on learning instead of testing, and making sure all schools have the resources they need to prepare our children for a lifetime of success.”

Also included in the agreement is an increase in aid for nonpublic schools. An additional $250 million in funding will be allocated to private and religious schools to cover state-mandated services and help keep the cost of tuition down for working families.