Property Tax Commission Does Not Go Far Enough

Report highlights need for full state funding of education based on income; falls short on recommendations

June 3, 2008

The New York State Commission on Property Tax Relief has issued a preliminary report that provides an in-depth analysis of the state’s education funding mechanisms. The Commission has determined, as many of us have already concluded, that our reliance on local property taxes to fund our schools is crippling communities across New York.

The realities laid out in the report point ineluctably toward full state funding of a basic quality education – a policy that I have long advocated – as the one equitable solution to this crisis. However, the Commission has fallen short by opting to advance a soft local levy cap. If enacted on its own, this proposal will lock us into this regressive system, limiting future increases to a cost-of-living index. The report has missed a great opportunity to call for the reversal and gradual elimination of school property taxes in favor of a progressive education income surcharge as proposed in my legislation (A.4746), which is also co-sponsored by nineteen Assemblymembers, both Majority and Minority, from all over New York.

Over the past two years, as the report acknowledges, the Legislature’s unprecedented $3.6 billion in increases in targeted state aid, coupled with basic funding increases for all schools has begun to stem the tide. The Commission echoed the call from those of us who say we must continue to build on this commitment while finding innovative ways to consolidate services by using our BOCES to effectively reduce administrative, transportation and energy costs. In addition, we need to seriously examine a regionalized approach to paying for other big-ticket items such as special education, pensions and health insurance.

I will continue my efforts to convince all stakeholders, my colleagues in the Legislature, as well as the Governor, that full state funding of education is the only way to ensure fairness and equal opportunity in our system. That said, New Yorkers need relief now. I fully support the Commission’s recommendation to reform our flawed and ineffective school tax relief program (STAR) with a circuit-breaker. This approach would establish a cap on the property taxes paid by an individual based on their income while the state would provide the difference to the school district. By implementing such a measure, we can direct tax relief to those who need it most without jeopardizing the stability and quality of our children’s education.

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