Senator Fuschillo: Governor’s Proposed Budget Cuts Local School Aid Share And Eliminates Much Needed Property Tax Relief Plan

Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (8th Senate District) is urging all residents to join his fight in opposing the Governor’s proposed cuts to Long Island’s education aid share and elimination of the state’s property tax rebate program.

"The bottom line is the Governor’s budget proposal shortchanges Long Island," said Senator Fuschillo. "The Governor’s budget cuts Long Island’s educational aid share to 8% of the proposed new educational aid funding for the state. This reduction is unacceptable, and I urge everyone to join me in fighting to ensure that we receive the tax relief we deserve."

In comparison, the Executive Budget raises New York City’s share of new state school aid. Because of this shift from Long Island to New York City, school districts in Nassau and Suffolk counties will receive significantly less than New York City’s schools.

The Governor’s budget also eliminates the property tax rebate program, which provided hundreds of dollars in savings to all Long Island homeowners who participate in the STAR program.

Instead, the Governor proposed a tax plan that fully benefits only those households making $80,000 or less. Families with household incomes of $80,001, or more, could not fully benefit from the Governor’s property tax plan. In addition, any savings a homeowner receives under the Governor’s plan would be credited onto their STAR exemption, not delivered directly into their hands.

Senator Fuschillo is calling on the Governor to adopt the Senate’s plan that enhances the existing rebate program and puts hundreds of dollars in savings directly into the hands of homeowners. Under this plan, the current rebate program would be quadrupled over the next two years, resulting in an approximate estimated savings of $700 for Long Islanders with Basic STAR and $1,100 for local seniors receiving Enhanced STAR this year. This rebate would be in addition to each homeowner’s STAR savings.

Senator Fuschillo has created an online petition on his website that residents can sign to join him in his fight against the Governor’s proposed cuts. Residents can sign the petition by CLICKING HERE.

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