Tusten appeals to state for tax relief

Re-submits tax recommendations on behalf of town

By KIMBERLY M. WEYANDT

NARROWSBURG, NY — Tusten board members voted to send a letter urging action from state officials in response to continued high property taxes. The resolution is identical to one passed by the board last year, but the board decided that re-passing the resolution “couldn’t hurt” and it passed unanimously on Monday, March 13.

The resolution is modeled after a school funding reform in the Association of Towns of the State of New York’s 2006 proposed legislative program. It calls for recommendations to be submitted to New York State officials, including the governor, legislature and senators, on behalf of the citizens of Tusten “urging action” on the local issue of high property taxes.

The resolution stated that the welfare of many Tusten homeowners “is jeopardized” by their inability to pay tax increases caused by the rising cost of education. In New York State, funding for local government services, such as public education, is provided primarily through taxes on the estimated value of the property, and because of rapid increases in the costs of public education, residents have experienced large increases in their taxes. The added tax burden is more than many residents can afford. In addition, the tax increase puts an increased burden on the town’s ability to raise other taxes and provide services in the town’s specific initiatives that are important to the well being of the community.

The resolution appeals to public officials to implement new measures for financing public education, including the following:

· Create a formula to fund public education based on the taxpayer’s ability to pay.

· Decrease the revenue raised from tax sources based on the value of dwellings.

· Refrain from imposing state-mandated requirements on school systems without supplying state funding.

· Adjust the formulas on revenue earmarked for state aid for education from state lottery and other future gaming activities so that the annual percentage is substantially increased from current levels.

· Maintain an advanced New York School Tax Relief (STAR) program for the town’s neediest residents and increase STAR exemption for senior citizens at all income levels.