Like the day god rested after creating man, the New York State Legislature took Friday off after passing the budget, but legislative leaders claim they have a lot left to accomplish.
One of those things is the millionaire's tax, which was left out of the budget and is likely to become an issue for Speaker Sheldon Sillver, D-Manhattan. Shortly after the budget was completed he announced, "Although “the millionaire’s tax” was not included in the final budget agreement, we will continue our efforts to convince our partners that it was and is the right thing to do at this time."
In a video statement, Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, R-Rockville Centre, promised that from the momentum of the budget passing the government would deliver on a property tax cap and mandate relief.
Notable proposals that are currently scheduled to be addressed in the committee process on the following week include...
Monday:
- SB 2212, from Republican Senator Marty Golden, which would increase the maximum income eligibility levels for real property tax exemptions for seniors.
Tuesday:
- Ken Adams may finally move through the committee process in his quest to become head of the Empire State Development Corporation. He starts at 9 a.m. in Senate Corporations, Authorities and Commissions before ultimately ending up in Senate Finance, with the nomination of former Senator Darrel Aubertine (as head of farming?).
- The Assembly Higher Ed Committee will consider a AB 6801 from chairwoman Deb Glick, which deals with purchasing of goods for SUNY (and that's all I know because there was no bill memo on Thursday night).
- SB 6536, from Democratic Assemblyman Pete Abbate, will be addressed in Government Employees Committee. His proposal prohibits public employers from diminishing the health insurance benefits and contributions of retired public employees.
Wednesday:
- IDC leader Jeff Klein will have SB 3838, which provides for free or reduced price passes to horse racing in an attempt to increase attendance. This proposal will be heard in Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering.
Showing posts with label property tax. Show all posts
Showing posts with label property tax. Show all posts
Monday, April 4, 2011
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Budget Good. What's Next?
Business groups are happy with the budget passed late last night in the Senate and very early this morning in the Assembly, but now they're calling for action on a property tax cap and mandate relief.
Speaking on behalf of the upstate business community, as it represents more than 70,000 employers, Unshackle Upstate touted the very recent achievement of Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the legislature.
"Finally, we have a governor who is willing to lead by example and legislative leadership who share and support his vision for a stronger New York,” said Brian Sampson, executive director of Unshackle Upstate. “By capping education and Medicaid spending and establishing Regional Economic Development Councils, this budget sends a powerful message that New York is on the road to recovery.”
Sandy Parker, a co-founder of Unshackle Upstate and leader of the Rochester Business Alliance, characterized the budget as a solid first step toward getting the state's spending under control. She added, "Now with the budget behind us, we look forward to moving on to equally important issues, such as implementing a property tax cap.”
These sentiments were echoed by the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce, the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, the North Country Chamber of Commerce and MACNY.
Sampson argued that it is important to build on the momentum of the budget's passage with a couple key proposals, mainly the passage in the Assembly of the property tax cap and serious mandate relief to accompany it. "It’s imperative that they take immediate action to enact a 2-percent property tax cap; provide real mandate relief for our local schools and governments; and reform the public-sector pension system," said Sampson.
The following are portions of the budget that Unshackle Upstate and its allies were particularly happy with:
Speaking on behalf of the upstate business community, as it represents more than 70,000 employers, Unshackle Upstate touted the very recent achievement of Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the legislature.
"Finally, we have a governor who is willing to lead by example and legislative leadership who share and support his vision for a stronger New York,” said Brian Sampson, executive director of Unshackle Upstate. “By capping education and Medicaid spending and establishing Regional Economic Development Councils, this budget sends a powerful message that New York is on the road to recovery.”
Sandy Parker, a co-founder of Unshackle Upstate and leader of the Rochester Business Alliance, characterized the budget as a solid first step toward getting the state's spending under control. She added, "Now with the budget behind us, we look forward to moving on to equally important issues, such as implementing a property tax cap.”
These sentiments were echoed by the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce, the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, the North Country Chamber of Commerce and MACNY.
Sampson argued that it is important to build on the momentum of the budget's passage with a couple key proposals, mainly the passage in the Assembly of the property tax cap and serious mandate relief to accompany it. "It’s imperative that they take immediate action to enact a 2-percent property tax cap; provide real mandate relief for our local schools and governments; and reform the public-sector pension system," said Sampson.
The following are portions of the budget that Unshackle Upstate and its allies were particularly happy with:
No new taxes;
Reduction in overall state spending by 2 percent;
Education and Medicaid spending caps;
Creation of Regional Economic Development Councils;
Merger of state agencies;
Repeal of the industrial development authorities tax;
Two-year suspension of diesel retrofit requirement; and
Creation of the Recharge NY Power Program
Key business leaders from Rochester, Binghamton and Syracuse signaled their support the 2011-12 budget.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
New Yorkers on the Issues
The millionaire's tax might not have made it into the budget, but 71 percent of New Yorkers polled by the Siena Research Institute want it to be adopted in the future.
“Now that the proposal to continue the personal income tax surcharge on the wealthiest New Yorkers is a true millionaire’s tax, support has continued to grow, with 71 percent agreeing with Assembly Democrats that the surcharge on millionaires should be continued,” said Siena Pollster Steve Greenberg. “A majority of every demographic group – including Republicans,conservatives and those earning more than $100,000 a year – supports a higher tax for millionaires.”
This should create an interesting battle going forward, as the Senate may be forced to deal with this issue because it was introduced by Republican Maverick John Bonacic. It is not clear what sort of support he has from his own caucus, with Senators George Maziarz and Roy McDonald possibly on his side, but he would most likely have the 26 Democrats and maybe even the 4 Independent Senate Democrats on his side.
Going hand in hand with this proposal is a strong opposition to cuts in education that have been advanced by the governor, with only 21 percent endorsing his plan. These cuts have since been softened, with over $200 million restored in education aid and New Yorkers seem to like this.
Voters Want the Legislature to Restore Even More Money to Education than They Have Proposed "One-quarter of voters want to see the Legislature add back a few hundred million dollars, as each house did in its one-house budget resolutions," said Greenberg. "And 50 percent of voters want to see the Legislature restore even more money for education.”
If there are cuts, though, there are likely to be layoffs, and 78 percent of New Yorkers polled want them to be based on performance and not seniority.Greenberg said, “Voters are clear and strong in their belief that LIFO must go despite teachers’ union support and any concern over arbitrary firings.
The next big fight, having been left out of the budget, will be on the property tax cap and rent regulation, which have each passed one house. These two issues are both very important to very specific constituents, with upstate wanting a property tax cap and constituents in the city demanding rent regulation.
Support for the property tax cap is at 73 percent and rent regulation is supported by 63 percent of those polled.
Much less important is the call for ethics reform from New York voters, who believe their legislators are basically corrupt, but want them to work on passing a budget first and foremost.
“Only 34 percent of voters think that a new ethics reform law is such a priority that it needs to be enacted as quickly as possible. The majority, 61 percent, says that while it’s important it can wait until after the budget. At least 57 percent of voters from every region, party and ideology agree that it can wait,” Greenberg said.
“At the same time, only a small majority of voters, 55 percent, believe that ‘most state legislators are honest, working hard for their constituents.’ But more than two in five voters, 42 percent, believe that ‘most legislators are corrupt, it’s surprising more haven’t been caught.’"
“Now that the proposal to continue the personal income tax surcharge on the wealthiest New Yorkers is a true millionaire’s tax, support has continued to grow, with 71 percent agreeing with Assembly Democrats that the surcharge on millionaires should be continued,” said Siena Pollster Steve Greenberg. “A majority of every demographic group – including Republicans,conservatives and those earning more than $100,000 a year – supports a higher tax for millionaires.”
This should create an interesting battle going forward, as the Senate may be forced to deal with this issue because it was introduced by Republican Maverick John Bonacic. It is not clear what sort of support he has from his own caucus, with Senators George Maziarz and Roy McDonald possibly on his side, but he would most likely have the 26 Democrats and maybe even the 4 Independent Senate Democrats on his side.
Going hand in hand with this proposal is a strong opposition to cuts in education that have been advanced by the governor, with only 21 percent endorsing his plan. These cuts have since been softened, with over $200 million restored in education aid and New Yorkers seem to like this.
Voters Want the Legislature to Restore Even More Money to Education than They Have Proposed "One-quarter of voters want to see the Legislature add back a few hundred million dollars, as each house did in its one-house budget resolutions," said Greenberg. "And 50 percent of voters want to see the Legislature restore even more money for education.”
If there are cuts, though, there are likely to be layoffs, and 78 percent of New Yorkers polled want them to be based on performance and not seniority.Greenberg said, “Voters are clear and strong in their belief that LIFO must go despite teachers’ union support and any concern over arbitrary firings.
The next big fight, having been left out of the budget, will be on the property tax cap and rent regulation, which have each passed one house. These two issues are both very important to very specific constituents, with upstate wanting a property tax cap and constituents in the city demanding rent regulation.
Support for the property tax cap is at 73 percent and rent regulation is supported by 63 percent of those polled.
Much less important is the call for ethics reform from New York voters, who believe their legislators are basically corrupt, but want them to work on passing a budget first and foremost.
“Only 34 percent of voters think that a new ethics reform law is such a priority that it needs to be enacted as quickly as possible. The majority, 61 percent, says that while it’s important it can wait until after the budget. At least 57 percent of voters from every region, party and ideology agree that it can wait,” Greenberg said.
“At the same time, only a small majority of voters, 55 percent, believe that ‘most state legislators are honest, working hard for their constituents.’ But more than two in five voters, 42 percent, believe that ‘most legislators are corrupt, it’s surprising more haven’t been caught.’"
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Cuomo's Budget will be "Good"
Following a press conference on Tuesday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo answered questions about the ongoing budget process, concluding that he will deliver a good budget for the people of New York.
He argued that in all his campaigning to become governor, his argument was that the state needs a good budget. On Tuesday, Cuomo said the state will get a good budget, whether on-time or through budget extenders that he introduces after the April 1 deadline.
According to Cuomo, the three areas holding up the budget are prison closures, education funding and health care plans. Prison closures have become a major stumbling block for Senate Republicans, who are the majority and seem hesitant to blindly accept his prison closure task force. The governor acknowledged that he is concerned about the issue of prison closures holding up the budget process.
Cuomo went on to say that he was optimistic about passing a budget on time. “I’m optimistic because I have to be,” he said. “We’re going to do what hasn’t been done in decades.” He argued that it was policy holding up the budget this year, as there weren’t a lot of money issues to debate, considering “we don’t have any money.”
The governor also reiterated previous statement about his support for including rent control legislation and a property tax cap in the budget, but acknowledged that he was doubtful about this possibility. “I don’t think it will happen,” he concluded.
One area of contention going forward could be the SUNY five-year tuition plan, which was voted on by the SUNY honchos on Tuesday. They were adamant about retaining SUNY money in the system and not using it for other state projects, which the governor coldly suggested had "merit" and was worth further discussion. Cuomo's reluctance to commit to this sort of "lock box" most likely stems from the popularity of sweeping SUNY funds into other areas.
Cuomo als addressed the push back he was getting on his proposed regional economic development councils from the legislature and revealed that the leaders have mentioned their concerns. “We took money that was theirs,” he said about the leaders’ rationale for opposing his plan. When a reporter suggested not spending the capital investment money at all, Cuomo got very protective of his pet project and said that he needs money for economic development projects.
He argued that in all his campaigning to become governor, his argument was that the state needs a good budget. On Tuesday, Cuomo said the state will get a good budget, whether on-time or through budget extenders that he introduces after the April 1 deadline.
According to Cuomo, the three areas holding up the budget are prison closures, education funding and health care plans. Prison closures have become a major stumbling block for Senate Republicans, who are the majority and seem hesitant to blindly accept his prison closure task force. The governor acknowledged that he is concerned about the issue of prison closures holding up the budget process.
Cuomo went on to say that he was optimistic about passing a budget on time. “I’m optimistic because I have to be,” he said. “We’re going to do what hasn’t been done in decades.” He argued that it was policy holding up the budget this year, as there weren’t a lot of money issues to debate, considering “we don’t have any money.”
The governor also reiterated previous statement about his support for including rent control legislation and a property tax cap in the budget, but acknowledged that he was doubtful about this possibility. “I don’t think it will happen,” he concluded.
One area of contention going forward could be the SUNY five-year tuition plan, which was voted on by the SUNY honchos on Tuesday. They were adamant about retaining SUNY money in the system and not using it for other state projects, which the governor coldly suggested had "merit" and was worth further discussion. Cuomo's reluctance to commit to this sort of "lock box" most likely stems from the popularity of sweeping SUNY funds into other areas.
Cuomo als addressed the push back he was getting on his proposed regional economic development councils from the legislature and revealed that the leaders have mentioned their concerns. “We took money that was theirs,” he said about the leaders’ rationale for opposing his plan. When a reporter suggested not spending the capital investment money at all, Cuomo got very protective of his pet project and said that he needs money for economic development projects.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Unshackle Says Fees ≠ Relief
A $50 fee for property tax appeals was proposed by the Mandate Relief Team and Unshackle Upstate is not pleased with this proposal.
Brian Sampson, the executive director of Unshackle, contended that New Yorkers are already taxed enough. "Rather than scheming up ways to nickel and dime us to death, our elected leaders should focus their energies on how to reduce taxes," he said.
"Charging a fee for people to contest their property tax assessment when the state, at this point, is not advancing real property tax reform makes no sense at all."
This fee also seems to contradict Gov. Andrew Cuomo's pledge for no new taxes or fees, which could explain why the report was released without any fanfare. In fact, the mandate team's report included a handful of new fees. While Cuomo "accepted" the preliminary report, he didn't say whether he endorsed all of its proposals.
Cuomo's description of the report was this: "This is a good first step in helping cities, towns and villages across New York rein in costs and help taxpayers, and I look forward to additional findings throughout the year."
This proposed fee would raise between $12.5 million and $15 million annually, but it's not clear whether they anticipate assessments would remain the same or decrease with the imposition of a fee.
Brian Sampson, the executive director of Unshackle, contended that New Yorkers are already taxed enough. "Rather than scheming up ways to nickel and dime us to death, our elected leaders should focus their energies on how to reduce taxes," he said.
"Charging a fee for people to contest their property tax assessment when the state, at this point, is not advancing real property tax reform makes no sense at all."
This fee also seems to contradict Gov. Andrew Cuomo's pledge for no new taxes or fees, which could explain why the report was released without any fanfare. In fact, the mandate team's report included a handful of new fees. While Cuomo "accepted" the preliminary report, he didn't say whether he endorsed all of its proposals.
Cuomo's description of the report was this: "This is a good first step in helping cities, towns and villages across New York rein in costs and help taxpayers, and I look forward to additional findings throughout the year."
This proposed fee would raise between $12.5 million and $15 million annually, but it's not clear whether they anticipate assessments would remain the same or decrease with the imposition of a fee.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Mandate Relief = Property Tax?
Tucked into the Mandate Relief Team's preliminary report are two potential new property taxes that could be imposed by local municipalities.
The first suggestion is an update of the condominium assessment methodology, which could potentially raise $400 million. Because current Real Property Laws treat condos as "rental properties," which is unique in NY, according to the report, assessors must disregard property sales price and determine artificial valuations based on hypothetical rents.
The team's report suggests assessing properties based on their market values, so that low valuations can be avoided.
The team's second suggestion would be the institution of a $50 fee for property tax appeals that could generate between $12.5 million and $15 million annually.
Citing about 250,000 to 300,000 appeals for assessments in recent years, the team argues that local governments should charge an appeals fee to help with the cost of processing the appeals. They acknowledge that many appeals are warranted, but feel that the advent of tax-appeals industry has sparked many pointless claims, which creates the need for the fee.
The first suggestion is an update of the condominium assessment methodology, which could potentially raise $400 million. Because current Real Property Laws treat condos as "rental properties," which is unique in NY, according to the report, assessors must disregard property sales price and determine artificial valuations based on hypothetical rents.
The team's report suggests assessing properties based on their market values, so that low valuations can be avoided.
The team's second suggestion would be the institution of a $50 fee for property tax appeals that could generate between $12.5 million and $15 million annually.
Citing about 250,000 to 300,000 appeals for assessments in recent years, the team argues that local governments should charge an appeals fee to help with the cost of processing the appeals. They acknowledge that many appeals are warranted, but feel that the advent of tax-appeals industry has sparked many pointless claims, which creates the need for the fee.
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