STATEMENT FROM ASSEMBLY REPUBLICAN LEADER 

JAMES TEDISCO   (R,C,I-SCHENECTADY-SARATOGA)

            “The State Senate today passed historic and sweeping legislation that would cap             property taxes in New York State at 4 percent or the rate of inflation, whichever is less.       Under their new leader, Senator Dean Skelos, the Senate Majority stood with                     Governor Paterson and did the right thing for our taxpayers, our children and our quality       of life. They are to be commended.

            New Yorkers pay some of the highest property taxes in the nation. The sheer cost         of living in New York has forced many residents and businesses to leave, thus slowing         the economic engine of our great state. Young people are finding it difficult to purchase         homes, seniors are struggling to maintain their homes and businesses are fighting to               create and retain jobs.  A property tax cap is exactly the type of incentive we need for         families and businesses to move and stay here.

            As was said many times today during the Senate session, ‘it’s a shame the lights are        out in the other chamber.’ Although no-show jobs are illegal in New York State, our            chamber has the ultimate no-show leadership in the Assembly Majority.

            The Assembly will return to Albany on Tuesday, August 19^th . My Assembly                   Republican colleagues and I will be ready and willing to pass a property tax cap bill.            We are calling on Speaker Silver and his conference to stand with Governor Paterson         like we are, like Senator Skelos did today, and bring this legislation to the floor for a             vote. New Yorkers are counting on it, and they deserve nothing less.”