Contact: James A. Ader Greater Capital Association of REALTORS, Inc.

(518) 464-0191 x16

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2011 October 13,

Voters Called For Property Tax Cap Tell Albany County Do Not Ignore Our Wishes
If there was one thing which was made perfectly clear by the voters in New York State (and in Albany County in particular) during last years election of Governor Andrew Cuomo it was the publics demand for property tax relief in the form of a tax cap. That public demand which was evidenced during the election was carried forward to the 2011 legislative session and the legislature passed, and the Governor signed, legislation which capped property tax increases at 2%. However, the budget proposal presented to the Albany County Legislature completely ignores that mandate and includes a 19% tax increase on property taxes in Albany County. How can this even be proposed? might be your question. Doesnt this violate the law? However, the law does allow a tax increase in excess of the 2% if the increase is approved by 60% of the legislative body voting on the issue. And it would appear that Albany County expects its legislators to ignore the spirit of the law which was to protect Albany County property owners from unreasonable tax increases and use the power of the legislature to adopt whatever increase it wants. Not only is Albany County proposing to sidestep and move gently past the 2% cap, it is proposing to shove the cap aside, blow far past the 2% cap and show little concern about the call from its citizens to rein in tax increases. 19%! Dont we all wish our personal income could increase 19% next year? And the reasoning being put forth that 19% increase now will allow Albany County to observe the 2% cap going forward is a difficult argument to make. So its 19% this year; 2%/year for the next 3 years; then it could well be 19% again in four years. ? If the voters in Albany County do not call upon their legislators to honor the will of the voters right now the tax cap might as well have been never called for by the electorate nor enacted by the NYS Legislature.

(more) So Albany County voters call your County Legislator now and tell them No to a 19% increase in your property taxes. Tell them to honor the will of the voters and adhere to the tax cap. The Albany County property tax vote will not take place until after this years election so you cant hold your legislator accountable until the next election. You need to contact your legislator now and have them assure you that a 19% increase is not going to happen. Thirty-nine districts equals thirty-nine County Legislators. You can find their information including contact numbers on AlbanyCounty.com. It is good to note that in the case of school taxes the tax cap override must be by a 60% vote of the public when they vote on the school budget. So voters can protect themselves there. Your only recourse in this instance is your legislator. Make them accountable. ####