LaValle votes to restore STAR rebate check

For Immediate Release:

March 19, 2010

SENATOR LAVALLE VOTES TO RESTORE STAR REBATE CHECK –    Senate Republicans Will Continue Fight to Provide Greater Relief

Senator  Kenneth  P.  LaValle today announced that the New York StateSenate  passed legislation to restore a portion of the STAR rebate program.As  architect  of  the  original  STAR and Circuit Breaker program, SenatorLaValle  noted that this initiative falls short of meeting the needs of thepeople  on  Long  Island  and that he will not stop fighting until the STARrebate program is fully restored.

The  legislation  passed in the Senate restores a portion of the STARrebate  check,  implements a new Circuit Breaker program, provides a schoolproperty  tax  cap, and calls for a permanent ban on all unfunded mandates.While  the  plan  offers  far  less  relief  than the Republican “HomeownerProtection  and  Property Tax Rebate Act,” this is a step in the process ofdelivering property tax savings for homeowners throughout the state.

“The  Senate  Republicans  advanced  a strong overall plan that wouldgive  back STAR rebate checks, while also providing a new avenue to addresshigh  property taxes related to homeowners’ ability to pay and a cap on taxrates  for  all  Enhanced  STAR  recipients  at  their current level,” saidSenator  LaValle.   “The  Senate  Democrats  rejected this plan in favor oftheirs  because they are out of touch with the needs of suburban taxpayers.These  are  the  same legislators who voted to eliminate the STAR rebate inthe first place and are now patting themselves on the back for a adopting aprogram that excludes too many people in our region.”

Senator  LaValle  offered  two  amendments to the Democrats plan thatwould  have  provided  greater  property tax relief.  One would have cappedschool  district  tax  rates  for  all  Enhanced STAR recipients at currentlevels.   The Senate Democrats unanimously opposed this amendment, blockingthe latest Republican attempt to help seniors stay in their homes, close tofamily and friends.

“The  Democrats acted like Jesse James when they took the STAR rebatefrom  taxpayers.  Now they want to be applauded for giving a portion of thestolen  money back to the people,” said Senator LaValle.  “I never voted toeliminate  the  STAR rebate and will continue to press the Senate Democratsto pass real property tax reform measures that provide relief for those wholive on Long Island and all across the state.”
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