Dear Neighbor:

For many homeowners, the crushing burden of property taxes is a serious problem.

That’s why one of my top priorities is providing homeowners with real property tax relief. Here’s how:

• Veterans’ exemptions exclude veteran disability payments and the distributions from being calculated as "income" for STAR purposes.

• Strengthening and simplifying the School Tax Relief (STAR) program, especially exemptions for veterans.

• Supporting real property tax exemptions for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers. Spouses of volunteers who lost their lives in the line of duty would also receive exemptions.

• Extending a program that provides tax breaks for first-time home buyers from December 31, 2005 to December 31, 2010.

• Providing real property tax exemptions for indoor exercise horse training arenas, raising/selling farm products or commercial horse boarding.

• These are just a few of the many things I’m doing to reduce property taxes. Be assured I’ll keep fighting to provide real property tax relief. As always, if I may ever be of assistance, please contact my district office at (585) 786-0180.

These are just a few of the many things I’m doing to reduce property taxes. Be assured I’ll keep fighting to provide real property tax relief. As always, if I may ever be of assistance, please contact my district office at (585) 786-0180.