Senator Saland Announces Proposal For A New $1.9 Billion Property Tax Rebate Program

Senator Steve Saland (R,C Poughkeepsie), Chair, Senate Education Committee today announced a proposed $1.9 billion property tax rebate program. This program would provide taxpayers with an additional 75% of their current STAR property tax credit in the form of a direct rebate check.
The rebate would be based on the taxes paid in the previous school year on a primary residential home. The checks would begin in September 2006 based on school taxes paid for the 2005-06 school year.

For example, homeowners in Dutchess County would receive rebate checks at an average of $210 dollars in the first year and $525 dollars when the program is fully phased in in 2008-09. Seniors in Dutchess would receive rebate checks at an average of $333 the first year and $833 when the program is fully phased in.

Columbia County homeowners would receive an average of $168 dollars in the first year and $420 when the program is fully phased in. Columbia County Seniors would receive $255 dollars in the first year and $638 dollars when the program is fully phased in in 2008-09.

"The reports of homeowners, particularly senior citizens struggling to keep up with the rising property tax burden, are becoming all too familiar," said Senator Steve Saland, Chair, Senate Education Committee. "Under our tax rebate program every homeowner would realize property tax savings through direct receipt of a rebate check refunding a portion of their paid school property taxes. Building on the success of STAR, this program will provide a welcome relief to families across New York State."

In addition to the property tax rebate program additional tax saving proposals were announced today. Following are some of the highlights from these proposals:

-Adjusting the STAR exemption to account for increased property assessments, saving property taxpayers an additional $250 million;

- Enhancing the property tax circuit breaker for homeowners to save an additional $100 million

-Limiting school budgets to one district vote, saving taxpayers approximately $150 million; and

-Expanded municipal shared services program

-Local School Finance Reform Commission to review rising school budget costs and local school financing alternatives.

-Expanded school report card to compare school district expenses

-Consolidation of school district incentive to reward schools who merge

-School superintendent sharing would allow school boards to share a superintendent and save costs

-Reward schools who improve student performance

-Alternative Certification of Superintendents