Tax policy on state land hurts Westchester and Dutchess counties, says state report
The (property tax) report could bolster efforts to bring tax equity to Westchester and Dutchess counties, with state Sen. Peter Harckham, D-Lewisboro, interested in crafting a bill to put Dutchess county on par with Putnam and Rockland counties.
The state pays property taxes of $45 million to Rockland County for 34,000 acres. New York pays $4.4 million to Putnam County for 25,000 acres. New York pays $960,000 to Ossining schools for 83 acres but doesn't tax almost 7,000 acres.