LoHud: Stewart-Cousins: Restore STAR Rebates For Seniors

One of the main budget battles now appears to be the fight over whether to restore STAR property-tax rebate checks to seniors in the budget.

The idea has been knocked by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Gov. David Paterson, but Senate Democrats continue to seek $500 million in property-tax relief in this year’s budget.

Sen. Andrea-Stewart Cousins, D-Yonkers, said “restoring the senior STAR rebate program, which I believe is a critical component that must be included in the final budget agreement.”

Her Senate Democratic colleagues also called for property-tax relief in the budget, which is carrying a $9.2 billion deficit.

Senate Democratic Leader John Sampson, D-Brooklyn, pointed out how Westchester County has the highest property taxes in the country and how upstate counties have the highest taxes as a percentage of home value...

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LoHud (April 16, 2010)