With Suffolk County residents facing some of the highest property taxes in the nation, Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci (R,C,WF,I-Huntington Station) has proposed an aggressive plan to address the issue. If enacted, Lupinacci’s plan would provide tax relief for Suffolk County’s families, seniors and local governments.
“Every day my office hears from residents, young and old, who are struggling under Suffolk’s tremendous property tax burden,” said Lupinacci. “Unfortunately, little relief is in sight. If my plan were enacted, New York’s middle-class families and seniors would see meaningful tax relief and a real savings in their local property tax bills. Most importantly, we could do this and also help our local governments implement changes to the tax code.”
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Lupinacci is calling for:
Find out what's happening in Huntingtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
- A permanent extension of the Middle Class Income Tax Cut (A.4575);
- Passage of the Affordable NY Act (A.8756);
- Expansion of the EPIC program (A.4246);
- A moratorium on unfunded mandates for school districts and local governments (A.5001); and
- Local control of Medicaid services.
The current middle-class personal income tax rate, which was set in December of 2011, is scheduled to expire in three years. This rate will rise again if Assembly bill 4575 is not enacted. Lupinacci’s proposal would also give additional tax credits to seniors who use EPIC prescription drug program, providing more affordable prescription drugs for low and middle income seniors. Under the Affordable NY Act, the current exemption amount used to calculate the enhanced and basic STAR exemptions would be expanded, providing greater tax relief for residents. Finally, Lupinacci is advocating for a moratorium on unfunded mandates for school districts and local governments. At this time, roughly 90 cents out of every property tax dollar goes toward mandated costs imposed by the state. A moratorium would provide relief, and force state government pay for the programs it mandates.
