State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF, WE-Sag Harbor) announced that he supports legislation to extend property tax exemptions available to eligible United States veterans to include school taxes. Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed the bill last week.

Assemblyman Thiele stated, "I have consistently sponsored property tax exemptions for our veterans. It is the least New York can do to reward its veterans. This new law says 'thank you for the sacrifice you have made on behalf of our country'. This legislation will insure that all veterans are eligible for school property tax relief and that all veterans are treated equally regardless of what section of law they qualify under."

This bill (A.5135/S.1724) would extend the veteran's property tax exemption to include school taxes in New York State. Currently, state property tax laws provide partial property tax exemptions to qualified veterans of the United States Military; however, this exemption does not apply to school taxes. In 2013 and 2016, the alternative veteran's property tax exemption and Cold War property tax exemption were amended to give school districts the options of allowing the exemption. With this legislation, all three veteran's property tax exemptions would be consistent and apply to school taxes.