Published: October 05, 2008 07:07 pm      

NIAGARA COUNTY: Lawmakers looking for tax relief

Resolution would seek support for school property tax cap

Niagara County lawmakers may formally request help next week in dealing with a No. 1 concern — property taxes.

Members of the Niagara County Legislature are expected to consider a resolution sponsored by Majority Leader Richard Updegrove, R-Lockport, that calls on members of the state Assembly to approve a statewide school property tax cap.

The state property tax relief commission, headed by Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, released a report in June that recommended restricting school property tax growth to no more than 4 percent per year or 120 percent of the Consumer Price Index.

Earlier this year, members of the Republican-led state Senate passed legislation that would impose a 4-percent cap on property taxes in New York. County lawmakers would like members of the Democratic-led Assembly to do the same.

“We are going to do whatever we can do to control property taxes,” said Legislature Chairman Bill Ross, C-Wheatfield.

Assembly Democrats approved a measure of their own in August that would tie property taxes to a percentage of household income. The so-called “circuit breaker” bill aims to reduce the tax burden for lower-income individuals and families earning up to $250,000 per year. The bill applies to all school, county, town and village taxes and would provide tax credits on state income taxes. The plan also calls for an increase in income taxes for those earning more than $1 million per year.

Suozzi and Gov. David Paterson are currently holding public hearings at locations across the state in an effort to solicit input on ways to develop a compromise plan that might satisfy both legislative houses.

Assemblywoman Francine DelMonte, D-Niagara Falls, supports continued review of the competing tax proposals, saying she wants to make sure whatever the state decides does not adversely impact property owners in Niagara Falls the surrounding area.

“Whatever plan ultimately comes before the Legislature next year has to be a plan that works for upstate,” DelMonte said.

During a recent stop in Niagara Falls, Suozzi discussed the tax relief commission’s findings, noting that the state’s local property taxes are the highest in the country and 79 percent above the national average.

The state’s tax problem is particularly troubling to lawmakers in Niagara County where, according to a recent report from the Tax Foundation, property taxes as a percentage of home values are the highest in the nation.

According to the Tax Foundation, the owner of the average Niagara County home valued at $95,800 paid a property tax bill equal to about 2.9 percent of the home’s value. Niagara County topped the same list two years ago. Last year, it finished second in the country, behind only New York’s Westchester County.

In response, Updegrove announced a tentative plan to form a local property tax relief commission which would involve the county, local school districts and municipalities in a discussion about ways to address local property tax issues.