SERINO: MAKE NY PLACE PEOPLE WANT TO LIVE, NOT LEAVE

ALBANY, NY—Senator Sue Serino (R, C, I—Hyde Park) joined her colleagues of the New York State Senate Majority today to unveil a comprehensive agenda aimed at reversing the pervasive trend of out-migration in the state. The agenda focuses squarely on cutting taxes and championing measures that aim to help empower New Yorkers of all ages to thrive in the state.

“I have always said that my goal is to ensure that our community, and our state, are places where people want to live, not places they want to leave,” said Senator Serino. “The reports are clear— we are losing New Yorkers of all ages in droves in search of more affordable options. With this plan, we are saying ‘enough is enough’ to the tax and spend culture that plagued Albany for far too long and working to see that New Yorkers across the board feel real, tangible relief so that they can thrive here in our community and across the state.”

Today’s announcement details focused squarely on tax relief for families and seniors and includes measures to:

·    Lower Income Taxes;

·    Lower Property Taxes;

·    Lower Energy Taxes;

·    Lower Taxes on Retirement; and

·    Control Spending to Prevent Tax Increases

The plan puts a particular emphasis on improving affordability for New York’s seniors, an initiative that as the Senate Aging Committee Chair, Senator Serino has long advocated for. To this end, the plan would:

• freeze school property taxes at the current level for seniors,
• kick-start the process to eliminate school property taxes for seniors over the next ten years,
• double the current exemption on retirement income, and
• Increase the size of direct property tax rebate checks that homeowners now receive by 25%,

“I have heard from far too many seniors in our community who are living on fixed incomes and struggling to make ends meet,” Senator Serino continues. “This plan would help ensure that our seniors can enjoy their Golden Years right here in New York and sends a clear message to older New Yorkers across the state that their voices are being heard. I will continue to push for these initiatives as budget negotiations get underway.”

For full ‘Affordability Plan’ details, click here.

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