Senator Young Launches "Keep The Cap" Campaign

Encourages residents to sign her petition by visiting bit.ly/KeepTheCap

ALBANY – Implemented just a few short years ago, the property tax cap has helped families, seniors and businesses gain a sense of security and consistency in their budget.

But with the prospects of the cap expiring, Senator Catharine M. Young (R,C,I-Olean) has launched an online petition to garner support for the Senate Republican Majority’s effort to make the property tax cap permanent.

“The property tax cap has been instrument in holding the line on local property tax increases and bringing a sense of consistency to a family’s budget. Letting the cap expire would be a disaster for homeowners, and drive many families from the homes and communities they love,” said Senator Young.

“The Senate has taken action, and now we need our colleagues in the Assembly and the Governor to join our cause. Making the two-percent property tax cap permanent would give residents the certainty the need and deserve – allowing them to better manage their finances, provide for their children, and make ends meet,” said Senator Young.

A recent report that looked at the decades-long trends of school tax increases estimates that taxpayers in Western New York have saved nearly $450 million and statewide taxpayers have saved $7.6 billion as a result of the property tax cap. Since the cap was implemented, school tax levies in Western New York have increased about 2.4 percent annually, compared to the 5.1 percent annual increase in the 30 years prior.

With this data in mind, Senator Young and her colleagues passed legislation this week that would make the property tax cap permanent.

Now Senator Young is asking residents to join her campaign to build support for making the property taxes permanent. Residents who want to tell Albany to make the tax cap permanent can sign Senator Young’s petition by visiting http://bit.ly/KeepTheCap.

“Making the tax cap permanent ensures that we never return to the days of skyrocketing budgets and spiraling tax increases. I urge residents to join the cause and tell the Assembly and the Governor how important the property tax cap is to all of us,” Senator Young said.