Assemblyman Mike Norris (R,I-Lockport) voted in support of legislation (A.5969) to return the state’s property School Tax Relief (STAR) program to a tax exemption. The measure would allow New York State property owners to get the immediate relief the program originally intended to provide until changes were made by the Governor and state Legislature last year.

“This is a case of Albany interfering with something that was in no need of help. For many years STAR has helped provide immediate tax relief by decreasing the tax liability of property owners. This ensures their tax bills are smaller and more affordable,” said Norris. “However, the changes made last year have caused a lot of confusion across the state and many property owners have not received the relief they need. I am very proud to be among the sponsors of this bill and to vote today for its enactment.”

In 2016, Governor Cuomo proposed changing the STAR program from being a property tax exemption to a credit that property owners would later be eligible to claim on their state income taxes. This meant many property owners needed to save more of their paychecks to pay their full property tax bills, and then wait until months later to receive the relief in the form of a check. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle objected to the changes, but the new program ultimately became law. Norris said he hopes the legislation passed in the Assembly today will be voted on soon in the state Senate and approved by the Governor. This way New Yorkers can receive as much tax relief as possible, as quickly as possible.

EDITORS’ NOTE: Mike Norris represents the 144th Assembly District comprised of portions of Erie, Niagara and Orleans counties. To learn more about Norris, please visit his Assembly Website