This year, New Yorkers have been subjected to an onslaught of downstate-driven, progressive measures that have truly exposed how little leaders in Albany think about citizens who live and work outside of New York City. It is a true shame, but it has heightened my resolve to fight for you every day, and I am proud to be able to deliver so many positive results for our community and take a stand against liberal or reckless policies and help stop them before they are enacted.

A recent example of this is the governor’s failed plan to require New York state drivers to get new license plates for no other reason than an Albany-driven money grab. Like you, I was outraged by this plan and let leaders in Albany know it. Working together with constituents, our efforts paid off and the governor relented. I am thrilled he abandoned his proposed requirement on drivers with license plates in good condition that are over 10 years old. This was an unnecessary and burdensome attack on upstate and Western New York.

Unfortunately, this was not the only attack on our ability to live, work and thrive. In the middle of the night during this year’s state budget negotiations, Albany leaders snuck in language that requires property owners in our state to jump through multiple, unnecessary hoops in order to maintain their tax savings through the STAR program. This program is one of the most successful and important programs for home and property owners in our state. Primarily affecting New Yorkers outside of New York City, the program was working just fine and never should have been messed with. But in Albany, clearly nothing is off limits in order for leaders to grab at every penny we have.

Please know, I voted “NO” against these changes and fought hard to correct them, but little could be done as most of the rank-and-file lawmakers were not even aware these changes were hidden in the budget bills being voted on. Since they were enacted, I have been working with the state Department of Taxation and Finance and our local tax assessors to mitigate the confusion and damage. Part of that fight was successful because the department decided to make the process easier for some property owners and to work together to make sure homeowners – particularly the elderly or those without internet access – were informed of the changes and assisted in making them.

If you or someone you care about is still receiving a STAR exemption on a property tax bill, please contact your local assessor right away or contact Tax and Finance’s STAR hotline weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by calling (518) 457-2036 to learn how you can protect your STAR savings for the future. Please note the changes affect both STAR and Enhanced STAR recipients; however, if you are receiving a STAR income tax credit you do not need to make any changes.

Like so many of you, I believe these proposals are indicative of Albany’s war on upstate and Western New York. We need real leaders in Albany who represent communities outside of New York City in order to protect our interests and put our needs first. Please know every day I am fighting to do that and knowing I have your support continues to give me the strength and fortitude to fight this fight – the good fight – every day. As always, I welcome your input and feedback. Please do not hesitate to share your thoughts with me or let me know you’d like to sign up for my e-newsletter by sending me an email at norrism@nyassembly.gov.