White Plains, NY – Westchester County Board of Legislators (BOL) Chairman Ken Jenkins (D-Yonkers) and Legislator John Nonna (D-Pleasantville) were among those applauding as the new state tax cap bill was signed today by New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo. Under the new law, property tax increases will be capped at 2 percent or the rate of inflation, whichever is less. Local communities and can forestall the cap with a 60 percent vote on school budgets and other fiscal matters under local governance.
The bill signing (which was symbolic, as the legislation was signed into law last week) took place on the front lawn in front of the residence of Tara and Russell Klein in Pleasantville, NY, as Chairman Jenkins and Legislator John Nonna (D-Pleasantville), along with a group of other elected officials, watched on.
“Too many families and businesses in Westchester have struggled to meet their skyrocketing property tax obligations, and this new tax cap legislation will finally keep these taxes in check,” said Chairman Ken Jenkins . “Being able to manage these taxes more effectively will boost our local economy and create jobs as well as give property owners a better chance at making ends meet.”
The new property tax cap bill comes at a time when New York taxpayers have been burdened with the highest property taxes in the nation. For the past 15 years, lawmakers in Albany and around the state have worked to cap or cut property taxes, and now Governor Cuomo has finally been able to marshal the support needed to make the bill a reality.
“The tax cap is a necessary discipline, but it must be combined with mandate relief,” said Legislator Nonna, in whose legislative district today’s event took place. “Meaningful and effective relief from state mandates that are posing a heavy burden on our county and municipalities is the next important step to take, and we look forward to working with Governor Cuomo to achieve this relief.”