“Long Island residents and small businesses need relief from some of the highest property taxes in the country. A practical way to achieve that is through comprehensive mandate relief. Because the state has received an additional $610 million in bank settlements, this goal is now reachable for Long Island. State mandates are passed down to local school districts and municipalities to fund with businesses and taxpayers left to shoulder an ever-increasing tax burden. We cannot, and should not, have to rely on harmful and irresponsible alternate revenue sources, such as video lottery terminals, to lessen property taxes while other regions of the state benefit from windfall settlement funds. As we prepare to pass the state budget, we must not let the opportunity to enact necessary mandate relief pass us by – but don’t hold your breath.”