Assemblyman Kolb meets with local officials about property tax concerns.
	Assemblyman Kolb discusses tax relief measures with constituents.

• Supported creation of a property tax rebate providing homeowners with meaningful tax relief. This rebate applies to homeowners who receive a STAR exemption, who can expect a rebate check worth 30% of their STAR benefit. The statewide property tax savings total an estimated $920 million.

• Helped pass record levels of increased revenue sharing. By providing more state assistance for local governments, Assemblyman Kolb helped municipalities pay for services that would have been subsidized by local property tax hikes.

• Supported legislation restoring operational aid to school districts that sustained funding cuts in the 2003-04 state budget. While state school aid has increased since 2003-04, many school districts are functioning today on less operating aid than they received four years ago. Property owners throughout the state are forced to absorb the funding shortfalls created by the state. This additional aid helps school districts function better while attempting to minimize school tax increases.

Further Property Tax Relief Initiatives:

• Assemblyman Kolb believes the state could save an estimated $4.5 billion a year through Medicaid reforms while still providing vital health care services to deserving residents. That’s why Assemblyman Kolb supports the Assembly Minority Task Force on Medicaid Fraud, Waste and Abuse, a group of legislators traveling the state to gather input from the public about Medicaid cost-cutting measures and how to eliminate waste in the Medicaid system.

• Assemblyman Kolb promotes measures to reduce unfunded state mandates on local governments and school districts, which force entities to increase their property tax levies. He wants state mandates costing more than $10,000 a year or having a statewide additional cost of $1 million to be funded by the state.

• Assemblyman Kolb supports legislation adjusting the Basic and Enhanced School Tax Relief (STAR) exemptions to the state’s current median housing value. This would help senior citizens who struggle with rising assessments and tax bills.