Assemblyman Michael J. Fitzpatrick (R,C,I-Smithtown) will join his Assembly minority colleagues to host a round-table discussion on Long Island’s rising property taxes from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday, May, 19 at Riverhead Free Library, 330 Court St.

The Assembly Minority Steering Committee is sponsoring the forum, which is free and open to the public. Expected guests include local town supervisors, school district superintendents and officials representing local civic and senior citizen associations.

“New York state local property taxes increased 42 percent between 2000 and 2005, and that’s more than three times the rate of inflation,” remarked Fitzpatrick. “New York state local property taxes are nearly 50 percent above the national average and are among the highest in the nation.”

The round-table discussion is an opportunity for the public to air their concerns over rising property taxes and allow Fitzpatrick and his colleagues to present their proposals for long-term property tax relief.

“Our long-term plan would keep seniors in their homes and give young people the opportunity to make Suffolk County an affordable community to raise a family,” said Fitzpatrick.