As New York's property tax crisis deepens - and its fiscal situation continues to deteriorate - Assembly Minority Leader Jim Tedisco (R,C,I-Schenectady-Saratoga) today urged Speaker Sheldon Silver to bring property tax cap legislation to the Assembly floor for a vote when it reconvenes during the upcoming Special Session.

In a letter to Speaker Silver, Tedisco urged adoption of a real property tax cap during the August 19 Special Session called by Governor David Paterson to address the severe downturn in state revenues.

"New York's skyrocketing property taxes have pushed homeowners and small businesses to the breaking point. Our property tax crisis has only intensified as Albany has proven incapable of summoning the political will necessary to solve this problem. Property taxes are the biggest threat to the quality of life and fiscal future of all New Yorkers - unless we address this property tax crisis, we will continue to see thousands of our best and brightest flee the state," Tedisco stated.

"The time for action is now - which is why I called on Speaker Silver to bring property tax cap legislation to the floor of the Assembly for a vote so we can deliver the real property tax relief our constituents have been calling for," Tedisco said.

"I applaud Majority Leader Skelos and his Senate Majority's commitment to addressing the need for real property tax relief in their upcoming August 8 session. Likewise, I commend Governor Paterson for using the power of his bully pulpit to call attention to New York's fiscal situation - which has gone from bad to worse - through calling for a Special Session to address the challenge," Tedisco said.

"I urged Speaker Silver to seize this opportunity so we can pass a much-needed property tax cap. With the Senate slated to pass a tax cap on August 8 and Governor Paterson urging a Special Session, there is absolutely no excuse for delay or inaction. New Yorkers need a tax cap, not a tax slap," Tedisco said.

"The Speaker has an opportunity to join us in working to make the property tax cap a reality. We must not miss this chance. New Yorkers caught in a painful middle class squeeze of high property taxes, record-high gas prices, food costs and Thruway tolls literally cannot afford to wait any longer. They need a property tax cap and they need it now," Tedisco concluded.

Click here to view a copy of Tedisco's letter to Speaker Silver urging the Assembly's passage of a property tax cap on its return for the August 19 Special Session.