Community Shows Up to Talk Tax Relief at Senator Gipson’s Tax Relief Town Hall

Terry Gipson

February 7, 2014

For Immediate Release: February 7, 2014
Media Contact: Jonathan Heppner | 845.463.0840 | heppner@nysenate.gov

COMMUNITY SHOWS UP TO TALK TAX RELIEF AT SENATOR GIPSON’S TAX RELIEF TOWN HALL

HYDE PARK, NY – Community members from Dutchess and Putnam filled Hyde Park’s Town Hall Thursday evening for New York State Senator Terry Gipson’s (D-Dutchess, Putnam) Tax Relief Town Hall.

"My frustration as a homeowner and a small business owner who worked hard to invest in my community and start a business in New York was one of the main reasons I decided to run for the State Senate,” said Senator Gipson. “In my first year of office we have been able to make important strides towards making the Hudson Valley and New York a more affordable place to live and do business, however we still have a great amount of work ahead.” NewYork State Senator Terry Gipson’s (D-Dutchess, Putnam) Tax Relief Town Hall.

Senator Gipson’s Tax Relief Town Hall featured a short presentation from Senator Gipson that addressed his legislative plans and priorities on tax relief. The presentation included his work repealing the state’s 18-A utility tax for businesses and hard working families, and reducing the cap placed on agricultural land from 10 percent to 2 percent, resulting in an 80 percent reduction in possible property tax increases for farmers. Additionally, Senator Gipson outlined his efforts to: repeal the regressive MTA payroll tax, find a more equitable way to fund public education that doesn’t punish property owners, keep seniors in their homes and deliver unfunded mandate relief for municipalities.

The majority of the evening was filled with a question and comment period. The audience and Senator Gipson engaged in a constructive dialogue that included school taxes, fire districts, state spending and the need for greater accountability for state tax incentives given to corporations.

Senator Gipson added, “The most important part of the evening was being able to listen to the concerns, comments and suggestions from our community. We are all going to have to work together to tackle New York's decades-old tax problems in order to keep people in their homes and move our economy forward.”

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