To the Editor,

Recently, I have received numerous emails from seniors living in the Town of Warwick and others in Orange and Rockland counties voicing their concerns and outrage over rising property and school taxes in the state of New York.

High property and school taxes are a serious issue in our state. New York has one of the highest average property tax rates in the nation, with only three states levying higher property taxes. In fact, according to the independent nonpartisan Tax Foundation, the per capita property tax levy is $1,949 per year in the U.S. In New York state, however, that amount is $3,302 per year, nearly 70% higher than the national median. Further, New York ranks second in the nation on education spending—about $30,000 per student each year. And where does the majority of local funding for this exceedingly high spending come from? The answer: directly from property taxes.

For seniors living on reduced or fixed incomes, these taxes are unreasonable and have already driven many seniors over the age of 65 out of state. Property and school taxes for senior citizens are regressive, disproportionately impacting them when compared to other property owners who are younger and still able to work. This is unacceptable.

To address these issues and growing concerns from constituents in the 98th Assembly District, I have proudly introduced Assembly Bill A.5149, which would reform the school funding formula and take meaningful steps to reduce the tax burden on seniors over the age of 65.

Specifically, my proposal would:

• Allow school districts the option to have the state assume the cost of local school tax levies, phased in over five years;
• Freeze assessments and school tax rates for seniors aged 65 and older;
• Require the state to reimburse municipalities and school districts for any lost revenue due to these measures; and
• Create a “Blue Ribbon Commission” on property tax reform to explore long-term solutions.

I also sponsored Assembly Bill A.7504, which is the Affordable NY Act. This proposal would double the current STAR exemption and permanently lower the personal income tax rates for middle-income taxpayers by 2%.

I am committed to protecting our seniors and working toward a fairer, more sustainable property tax system for all New Yorkers. It is our duty as state lawmakers to act in the best interests of our constituents, especially those most vulnerable. And our seniors deserve to retire and live off their reduced or fixed incomes in peace without the fear of property and school taxes taking away from their life savings.

I’d like to thank everyone from the surrounding community who reached out to me for bringing attention to this issue and voicing your concerns. I appreciate your dedication to the 98th Assembly District, and I am honored to continue to represent and best serve you.

Sincerely,
Karl Brabenec
Member, New York State Assembly
98th District