Property Taxes No Way to Fund Education

Cahill urges legislature to move on his income based model; Suozzi proposal locks communities into flawed system

June 23, 2008

As the 2008 Legislative Session winds down, Assemblymember Kevin Cahill (D-Ulster, Dutchess) urged fellow lawmakers to take a hard look at his proposal (A.4746) calling on the state to provide full funding of what constitutes a basic quality education for all children. The bill mandates the reversal and gradual elimination of school property taxes in favor of a progressive education income surcharge.

“Property taxes are no way to fund education,” said Assemblymember Cahill. “The current system is driving people out of their homes and robbing many of our children the quality education they deserve.” Mr. Cahill continued, “Full state funding of education is the one equitable solution to this crisis. A statewide education surcharge based on income is the only way to ensure fairness and equal opportunity in our system.” Cahill’s proposal – The Equity in Education Act – has gained significant support and was highlighted this year during Real Property Tax Committee hearings.

“Simply enacting the tax cap proposed by the Suozzi Commission will lock us into this regressive and failed education funding model,” said Mr. Cahill. “The Suozzi cap allows for continued increases in property taxes and can be easily overridden. Merely slowing the growth of property taxes is not the answer; we need to focus eliminating this destabilizing tax.”

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