IN THE NEWS: STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE - Put city under tax cap, Island electeds urge

With a property tax cap for homeowners across the state - except for New York City homeowners - taking center stage in Albany, members of the borough's delegation pointed to legislation they advanced earlier this year, co-sponsored by state Sen. Andrew Lanza (R-Staten Island) and Assemblyman Michael Cusick (D-Mid-Island).

It would cap the yearly growth of property taxes at either 2 percent or the level of the Consumer Price Index, whichever is less.

Also from Lanza and Ms. Malliotakis is legislation calling for an independent audit of Metropolitan Transportation Authority finances.

"The MTA consistently deals with a deficit of its own creation and consistently comes to the taxpayers with their hands out," said Lanza. "The MTA's finances should be independently examined to seek greater efficiencies and cut expenses, just like the rest of us have had to do in our own households and businesses."

Said Ms. Malliotakis: "By decreasing services while increasing fares and tolls, the MTA has demonstrated that their problems stem not from a lack of revenue, but from mismanagement and inefficiency. ... An independent audit of the MTA's finances would allow the public to see how their money is being spent, while enabling state government to pinpoint the waste and inefficiency that has allowed the agency's spending to spiral out of control."

Also this week, Ms. Malliotakis was named to The Capitol newspaper's "40 Rising Stars Under 40" list, an annual collection of up-and-comers on the statewide political scene. She was also selected by the State Legislative Leaders Foundation to participate in the upcoming "Emerging Leaders Program" at the University of Virginia. One representative is chosen from each state.

Published: Friday, May 27, 2011, 7:49 AM

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