Mirant tax settlement debt keeps crushing North Rockland, but the state can help

North Rockland is home to the Red Raiders, destinations such as the Garnerville Arts Center, and the wonderful communities of Stony Point, Haverstraw, and West Haverstraw. It’s also home to the largest tax certiorari in New York State history, compliments of Mirant Energy, leaving school district taxpayers with a crushing $365 million liability.
 
Each and every year, over $11 million continues to fly out the door to pay for North Rockland’s Mirant debt. That’s millions of dollars not going to classrooms, not going to programs, not going to hire educators, and not relieving the overtaxed North Rockland community.

Eighteen years on the 30-year bond remain an insurmountable prospect without state assistance. 

Over the last decade, the crisis has resulted in a doubling and tripling of property taxes; more than 300 positions, mostly teachers, cut; four school buildings closed; health care plans renegotiated; and bargaining units took years of no salary increases. Up until a number of months ago, when we were able to deliver special legislative aid, North Rockland was one of the few remaining districts with half-day kindergarten. 
 
The school district has worked to manage its finances in an effort to remain solvent and survive. The situation remains a ticking time bomb, and each passing month brings us closer to the brink: zero dollars left in the district’s bank account and no way to pay the bills without a never-before-seen tax increase. Lacking intervention, this unprecedented calamity is a matter of “when” not “if” — and the “when” is right around the corner. 

Working together in the Assembly, we twice passed a proposal to right the ship and pay North Rockland the respect it deserves. Our solution would see the state take over two-thirds of the remaining Mirant debt. Unfortunately and inexplicably, we did not have partners in the state Senate during our fight.
 
Now, in 2019, we have a new state Senate and a strong resolve to provide North Rockland the relief it desperately needs.

As we campaigned for election and re-election in November, we heard the same message at virtually every door: parents expressing concern for their school’s vitality and taxpayers telling us they can’t take it anymore. 
 
So, let us be direct: We heard the community loud and clear. Resolving the Mirant debt challenge is our No. 1 priority for North Rockland, bar none. 
 
We are as committed as ever to fight alongside our local taxpayers and educators to deliver a long-overdue solution to the unique financial challenge that North Rockland faces. After years of inaction by the state Senate, our community’s children and taxpayers deserve a reprieve. There is no time to waste, we must act now.