Assemblyman Bill Reilich (R,C,I-Greece) today applauded Gov. George Pataki’s executive budget. "I am pleased that the governor took this opportunity to focus on Medicaid reform, property tax relief and higher education," Reilich said.
"The $86 million for SUNY is a great lift for our already prestigious higher education program," said Reilich.
Reilich noted Pataki also announced an innovative plan to keep college tuition the same for students once they begin school. When a student starts at a SUNY school, the tuition for that first year would remain the same for the next three undergraduate years of study.
According to Reilich, the governor proposed changes to the Medicaid system that would lessen the burden Medicaid places on county governments, thereby reducing property taxes for New Yorkers.
Gov. Pataki also announced the Co-STAR plan to provide further property tax relief to counties that adhere to modest spending increases. Co-STAR would provide a $100 rebate in 2006 and a $200 rebate in 2007 to taxpayers whose county governments keep new spending growth to 3.5 percent in 2006 and 3 percent in 2007.
"With responsible financial planning we can overcome our fiscal challenges and make New York a better to place to work and live," said Reilich.