Fed Contractor?Must Verify Legality of a Prospective Employee? E-Verify Required

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WPCNR THE IMMIGRANT NEWS. June 10, 2008 (From U.S. Department of Homeland Security): The Department of Homeland Security Monday designated E-Verify, operated by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in partnership with the Social Security Administration, as the electronic employment eligibility verification system that all federal contractors must use as required by Executive Order 12989, as amended. E-Verify is a free Internet-based system that allows enrolled employers to confirm the legal status of new hires within seconds.

 


 



“A large part of our success in enforcing the nation’s immigration laws hinges on equipping employers with the tools to determine quickly and effectively if a worker is legal or illegal,” said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.  “E-Verify is a proven tool that helps employers immediately verify the legal working status for all new hires.” 


 President George W. Bush has amended Executive Order 12989 in order to direct all federal departments and agencies to require contractors, as a condition of each future federal contract, to agree to use an electronic employment eligibility verification system – designated by the Secretary of Homeland Security – to verify the employment eligibility of all persons hired during the contract term and all persons performing work within the United States on the federal contract.


 In response to this Executive Order, Secretary Michael Chertoff today designated E-Verify as the system of choice to ensure that the federal government only does business with companies that agree to verify the legality of their new hires and further, that the specific employees tapped to perform contract services in the United States for the federal government are authorized to work in this country.  Federal departments and agencies within the executive branch are already enrolling with E-Verify to check the status of all new hires within the federal workforce.  Agencies responsible for federal acquisition regulations (FAR) will send a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to the Federal Register today soliciting public comment on proposed changes to these regulations.  Comments will be accepted for 60 days.   


 More than 69,000 employers currently rely on E-Verify to determine that their new hires are authorized to work in the United States.  Employers have run more than 4 million employment verification queries so far in fiscal year 2008.  Of those queries, 99.5 percent of qualified employees are cleared automatically by E-Verify.


 To view the Executive Order, please visit www.whitehouse.gov.  For more information on the NPRM, please visit www.dhs.gov.

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Sandra Mastrangelo Awarded 4 Year Scholarship to Brown University

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WPCNR PRESS BOX. June 9, 2008 UPDATED 12 NOON EDT: A news conference held in honor of Sandra Mastrangelo, the all-universe catcher for the White Plains Tigers softball team, announced Ms. Mastrangelo has been awarded a four year full scholarship to Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, where she will continue her  distinguished softball career.



 Her Coach for the last five years, Ted O’Donnell who has had some great players through his decade as White Plains softball coach, said, “I never had a harder working player than Sandra,” and said, “It’s not a mystery the importance Sanra has played in the team’s success, and still found the time to place 14th in her class.” He predicted her character is so exemplary that she will make an impact in some way on society in the future.



Ms. Mastrangelo is the only scholarship recipient honored with such a news conference this reporter can remember  as having prepared written remarks to thank the crowd of players, parents, and fans who packed the conference. Attributing her success to hard-work and dedication, she honored her coach, her various mentors at the school with the words, “Your belief in me, has made me believe in myself.”



Sandra and her Mom, Jody


Her fellow captain, Jackie Flooks prepared a “Hall of Fame Plaque” for her speaking eloquently of what she has meant to the team. Dom Sputo, father of Lauren Sputo, praised Ms. Mastrangelo for helping to break his daughter in as pitcher, and mentoring her the first two seasons.



The ” Sandra Mastrangelo Hall of Fame Plaque”– Created by her Softball Team Co-Captain, Jackie Flooks.The Plaque Reads:167 Consecutive Varsity Games & Scrimmages Played; Over 1,170 consecutive innings caught; 4 League Championships; 3 Time Sectional Semi-Finalist; 2 Time Section Finalist;  5 Time All-League;  4 Times All County; 4 Times All-Sectional; 2 Times All-State; 2 Year Captain; Con Edison Award Winner; 9 Times a Scholar-Athlete,(5 in Softball, 3 in Field Hockey, once in Track; 2008 New York State Softball Officials Organization Section 1 Sportsmanship Award; The Best Number 7 in the World.


 


The Hudson Valley Chapter of the New York State Softball Officials Organization has recognized Ms. Mastrangelo as a special kind of ball player. Jack Lim, the former President of the association, and frequent varsity umpire will be presenting her with a  Section 1 Sportsmanship Award on behalf of the umpires.


Ms. Mastrangelo told WPCNR she had always had an affinity for Brown University, and hoped to study in the medical field there. She said the softball team has a new coaching staff, and the team is coming on, saying they see her as either an infield or catching possibility.


For the fans who frequent O’Donnell’s Bluff where fastpitch is played in White Plains, it just won’t be the same without Sandra behind the plate; the bazooka snap throws to first, her flying leaps to grab bloop pops, her ferocious defense of the plate, and her ability to call a game, calm down a pitcher and get that little something extra out of her. Like Frank Chance, “The Peerless Leader” of the old Chicago Cubs, Ms. Mastrangelo makes everyone she plays with better from her own example of  hustle, intelligence, and poise in a pinch.


 

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Spano: Cap Mandates Not Just Property Tax. Connors: Prop Tax Caps Don’t Work

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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. June 9, 2008: After digesting Governor David Patterson’s introduction of a bill to implement a 4% cap on property tax increases across the state, on the heels of the Suozzi Commission Preliminary Report on Property Tax Reform last week, Westchester County Executive Andrew  Spano issued a statement to WPCNR Friday saying it does not go far enough, saying that it is state mandated spending that needs to be capped – not property taxes.


On another front, those most affected, the school districts, Superintendent of Schools for the City of White Plains, Timothy Connors said that the district was examining the proposals, but that it was too early in the legislative process to evaluate  how a property tax cap would impact the White Plains district.


 


Mandate Cap Needed: Spano.  Property Tax Caps Don’t Work: Connors.


WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. June 9, 2008: After digesting Governor David Patterson’s introduction of a bill to implement a 4% cap on property tax increases across the state, on the heels of the Suozzi Commission Preliminary Report on Property Tax Reform last week, Westchester County Executive Andrew  Spano issued a statement to WPCNR Friday saying it does not go far enough, saying that it is state mandated spending that needs to be capped – not property taxes.


On another front, those most affected, the school districts, Superintendent of Schools for the City of White Plains, Timothy Connors said that the district was examining the proposals, but that it was too early in the legislative process to evaluate  how a property tax cap would impact the White Plains district.


Governor Patterson’s bill to enact a cap would cap school property tax levy increases at 4% or 120% of the Consumer Price Index, whichever is less; require at least 55% of voters to approve any tax levy over the cap, and increase that “Supermajority” requirement ot 60% if the school district is receiving an increase in state education funding of 5% or more. (This year, if those rules had been in effect, the White Plains School Budget would have gone down to defeat, having passed by 52% to 48% with a 6% tax increase (8% actually, when the STAR Exemption cut is figured in).


The Governor’s proposal would also provide that if the proposal is rejected by the voters, the levy increase reverts back to the cap of 4% or 120% of CPI, whichever is less, and authorizes voters to place “underride” proposals on the ballot if they wish to adopt a tax levy of less than 4%. The Governor’s legislation also preserves the voters’ right to vote on the school budget every year.


Chief Advisor to Westchester County Executive Andrew Spano, Susan Tolchin issued this statement to WPCNR on Mr. Spano’s reaction to the Suozzi report and the Governor’s Bill:


On the issue of the Suozzi recommendation, the County Executive wants to lower all property taxes, not just school taxes and  the best way to do that is a cap on unfunded mandates that the state passes down on all taxing jurisdictions: schools, county and local governments.


 


 He wants to see that one big tax bill reduced. There should be a moratorium on new and expanded mandates and a cap on existing mandates, similar to what we now have on medicaid. 


 


The County Executive has made his position known to the Commission in his testimony and in memos and draft legislation that was shared with the governor’s office, County Executive Suozzi and NYSAC. 


 


Superintendent Connors said, “It’s a little early to react to it (the property tax cap legislation).Tax caps haven’t worked (in Massachusetts and California), and are detrimental to education. We’re looking at the proposals.”


Connors noted that in Massachusetts, where there is a tax cap, many communities vote to override the caps annually because of the effect the cap would have on their individual communities. He also mentioned how California school budget controls had lowered California educational effectiveness since Proposition 33 was passed.


In White Plains, the contingency budget that would have gone into effect this year, had voters not approved the $184.4 Million budget, was a 5.79% increase compared to a 5.95% increase in the budget, and would have cut $700,000 from the budget. 


The Governor’s proposal of a limit of 4% on the property tax cap this year, would have forced the White Plains School District to cut $5.5 Million from the proposed budget to stay under the cap. That $5.5 Million would have been just $1 Million more that the total salary increases incorporated into the budget that passed. Of course, the district could have gone for the ovveride from the voters


 


In order to stay under the hypothetical cap, the school district would have been forced to keep the budget at the $179 Million level and cut expenditures elsewhere to keep the salary schedule they have in effect.


On districts which put in double-digit budget increases, the effect of the cap would be quite a bit more drastic. Overrides would have to take place in order to maintain the level of spending.


Of course, given the unstable advance in consumer prices now taking place, the inflation rate is advancing at a 3.94% Rate from April 2007 through April 2008.

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Afifi Double Cleans Bases, Beats Arlntn, 3-2. O’Connor Stab Turns TP

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WPCNR PRESS BOX. By John F. Bailey. June 7, 2008: Caitlin  Schell  leaped  high in the circle after just getting Yorktown’s big boppette,  Cassie Reilly Boccia swinging on a 2-strike pitch with the tying runs on first and second for the second out in the last of the fifth in Saturday afternoon’s Class AA Section 1 Championship game.


 Schell still had a 2-0 lead and had to get the  Husker cleanup hitter, Tori Matzura to get out of the inning without having to face Casey O’Connor and Reilly-Boccia again for the rest of the way. The crisis seemed past.


 



 However, she walked  catcher Matzura  on five pitches,  not even close, loading the bases.  Stepping in was Alia Afifi who had singled sharply and walked previously, a dangerous hitter.


Schell made the first fastball (obviously trying to get ahead), a little too good, a little too up, in the wheelhouse and Afifi got a LOT of it – right on the button with a quick sweet swing,  blasting a screamer “on a LINE” (as Met broadcaster Lindsey Nelson used to say) into the gap in right centerfield. But the outfielders were playing straight and not deep.


Chaos!


Huskers Porcelli, O’Connor and pinch runner Laura Pirogi (the potential winning run) were wheeling around the bases at top speed.


The ball got down in a hurry rolling, rolling, rolling  all the way to the fence,  one run scored, the tying run scored, and the rightfielder’s throw to the plate to head off the go-ahead runner streaming around third, all the way from first was up the first base line and late. It was not close.


Three runs came across to give the Huskers a 3-2 lead. On the walk that followed, the inning ended on a look-back violation. But Arlington which had given Yorktown a great battle was not done.


With Yorktown’s crafty Dana Bisaccia – master of speeds  — just about out of gas in the 95 degree and humidity, Emily Peltz walked and Olivia Reeves (who was 3 for 3 and nearly threw out Yorktown’s Porcelli at second on O’Connors sharp single to center in the last of the fifth) singled up the middle, putting the equalizer and the go-aheader on the bases with no one out for the Admirals.


Erin Weinberg was up next, the Designated Player. After a conference on the hill. Action resumed. Arlington chose not to bunt and move the runners up. Weinberg swung away.


Crack!  Disaster! 1 Swing 3 Outs.


The first pitch was lined to the right side, ankle high at second sacker Kasey O’Conner!  O’Connor  in the baseline, made an instinctive backhand spear of the ball off her right ankle at her shoetop. What a play! OUT!


Arlington’s  Reeves, off with the crack of the bat thinking hit all the way, was 30 feet off first. O’Connor  slung the softball to first sacker Reilly-Boccia for out number two!


Reilly Boccia seeing the lead runner at third fired the ball to shortstop Porcelli for the TRIPLE PLAY, A 4-3-6 trifecta, crushing the rally in one pitch. It was electrifying. 


Going Quietly


In the seventh, Arlington had two outs with the bases empty.  Their last hope got on base via an error, but inexplicably the last hitter,  bunted into an championship-winning third to first out, close, but out on a solid play by the thirdbaser Elayne Dombrowski under great pressure.


The Huskers had come from behind like Champions, showing strength in their lineup from top to bottom had won their second consecutive Section 1  Class AA Championship.


The Huskers threw their caps into the air celebrating a great victory.


A Lesson in Heart in the Heat


Arlington’s Caitlin Schell, pitched terrifically, heroically, valiantly in the heat as did Yorktown’s crafty diminutive rightside windmiller,  Dana Bisaccia, who pitched out of a 2 on, no one out jam in the second by striking out the side, and threw a triple play ball when she needed it (that is a softball joke, fans.)  You rarely see a triple play in the bigs, and never see it in fastpitch, but we saw one today.


Arlington scored a run in the third to break the ice in this ballgame on a single by Jessie Chapman who moved to second on a passed ball. After a flyout, Schell lashed a single to right to take a 1-0 lead. Arlington added another run in the fifth when Valerie Nelson singled and took second when the leftfielder bobbled the ball. She moved to third on a bunt by Jesse Chapman and leadoff hitter Dombrowski ripped  a single in the shortstop hole to left for a 2-0 lead.


Game of Inches


The Yorktown winning rally started with one out, when Porcelli singled to center on a 3-2 pitch. Then Kasey O’Connor whacked a sinking liner to left center. Reeves tried for a shoestring catch, and short-hopped the ball getting off a quick throw to second that just missed getting Dombrowski at second, who had had to hold to see if Reeves was going to catch the ball. It was a very close play. That set the stage for Affifi’s heroic bases-clearing double.


It was a Section Championship to remember in weather as hot and as tough to play in as you will ever see and feel. The sweat just dripped off you in the blaze of heat and humidity. But everyone was on their game.  Lots of banger calls at first base. Courageous, reach-back-for-that-something-extra pitching and opportunitstic plays.  Paige Murray, the Arlington rightfielder stopped a run from scoring from second on a single in the 4th uncorking a teriffic charge and throw to the plate. The teams were a testimony to the heart and grit of these two fine fastpitch programs.


Schell walked five and fanned four, allowing 7 hits, only one for extra bases – the game winner. Bisaccia, going the distance, mixed speeds well, used her fastball sparingly, scattering 7 hits, walking 2 and recorded 5 strikeouts, none after the third inning. She was economical, too throwing only 77 pitches. Schell threw 89 in six innings of work.

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The Real Deal: A Different Kind of Party Totally Necessary

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WPCNR’S THE REAL DEAL By The Wedding Jeannie, Jeannie Uyanik of Cap and Gown Weddings. June 7, 2008: Given that we plan parties all the time, it’s rare when we see something completely new or totally out of the ordinary.  But today I learned you can make even the scariest events fun; I attended a Mammogram Party.  The idea sounded interesting to say the least, but it was proposed by my ObGyn, Dr. Claudia Holland (and a past client of our firm’s) and when it’s the woman who delivered your child, that’s an invitation that you don’t refuse. 


 


 



The Wedding Jeannie


Jeannie Uyanik


Wedding Planner to the World


WPCNR Columnista



 


 


 


 


Dr. Holland is a firm believer in early and frequent mammograms and because the idea conjures much stress and even more procrastination, she offered to help minimize the pain by having a few of us go together.  And from there the idea of the mammogram party was born. 


 


Three of us were invited and greeted with coffee and pastries.  Changing into our robes made it seem like more of a spa day than a necessary and lifesaving exam. The professional and very kind associates at the top notch facility where we had the mammograms, made the event a breeze.  While there are many great facilities throughout New York City and the tri-state area, our mammograms were completed at:


 


Columbia-Presbyterian Eastside


16 East 60th Street


Suite 350


New York, NY 10022


To schedule an appointment, call: (212) 326-5552


 


http://www.cper60th.org/imaging/mammo.html


 


The results were produced in minutes for some of us, and we were all given clean bills of health within an hour.  We continued the party at a celebratory lunch. 


 


Should you not be so fortunate to have your physician insist on attending your exam, you can still be a trend-setter.  Plan a mammogram party.  Get a group of friends, family or associates together and make back to back appointments. 


 


 As I learned today from one of the attendees at our “party”, sometimes you have to have multiple exams in a day, if the first tests are not clear, and having backup there waiting for you in the reception area provides a feeling of comfort and a needed distraction.  There is no need to go it alone.  I certainly would not have been so eager or quick to get this done had I not had a big push and a lot of support. 


 


And once the mammograms are completed, have the real party start off premises and plan a girl’s brunch, lunch or cocktails to mark the momentous occasion and the steps to take better care of our health.  But most importantly, if you are required to have a follow-up, when you learn this, at least you are surrounded by people who care for you and will support you no matter what the outcome might be. 


 


 


 

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D-Day was 64 Years Ago Today.

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WPCNR MILESTONES. June 6, 2008:





Sixty-four  years ago this morning, thousands of troops stormed the beaches in Normandy, France in the largest invasion in history. The bloody assault against a heavily defended coastline, involving incredible courage and sacrifice by allied troops, landing craft, paratroops, signalled the beginning of the end of the Third Reich and the regime of Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Germany.

The quiet beaches of Normandy today, and the rows of white crosses in cemetaries around the little town bear silent vigil to the sacrifice of those brave men and women who fought, died, and triumphed this day 59 years ago today.




We can in no way, or through no motion picture know what any veteran experienced. The veterans who still are with us do not like to talk about their combat experiences. And they do not. One veteran of D-Day, asked what he thought of Saving Private Ryan and the realism of it, said the real D-Day was worse. However, veterans we have interviewed remark that they think of their combat experience every day. It is always with them.

It is inconceivable to me that I could ever be able to do what these men and women did. I would like to hope I could. However, the veterans have. They left ordinary lives as office workers, factory workers, farmers, accountants, and what have you and were able to go to war and “rise to the occasion,” or as they say today, “step it up to the next level.” The highest level.


Few of them are left now. But today their sacrifice should be remembered.

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Yorktown Closes Out Tigers as Fastpitch Season Ends

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WPCNR Sports. June 5, 2008: This just in from Yorktown. Yorktown High bats did in the White Plains Tigers today, with explosive hitting, while the Tigers failed to solve the Huskers pitcher. Yorktown moves into the Section 1 Class AA Final against the winner of the Arlington-North Rockland tilt.  This will be the opportunity for a second consecutive Section 1 Title for the Huskers


White Plains finished at 14-9 on the season, after catching Scarsdale for a share of the League 1-A Championship. With only two seniors graduating the Tigers can look forward to a bright 2009.

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Selection of Tappan Zee Bridge Rapid Transit Combo Delayed for Weeks

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WPCNR TAPPAN ZEE BRIDGE NEWS. June 5, 2008: The Project Director of the Tappan Zee Bridge/I-287 Corridor Project, charged with the evaluation and recommendation of the best solution to replace the aging Tappan Zee Bridge, told WPCNR today that a decision on the best transit alternatives to replace the 49 year-old bridge (undergoing repairs as needed) will be delayed “for weeks.”



Mr. Anderson (shown here at a February 2008 meeting, said his people were checking figures going over alternatives and their data and were not as far along as they had hoped in coming to a final recommendation (on transit mode selected for the bridge makeover – commuter rail, bus rapid transit, light rail). He gave no reason for the delay. He said no decision had been made.



Originally in February, Anderson had said a final decision on how to replace the aging bridge with a combination of transit possibilities was going to be made in May.


Details of Implementation Not Considered at this Time


Two weeks ago, Anderson told Don Hughes of the North Broadway Civic Association (who has been following this issue), that reconstructing the current bridge  to accommodate commuter rail did not make sense because, Hughes recalls, the bridge foundations would have to be rebuilt, and it would be cost-prohibitive if commuter rail connection with Metro North at Tarrytown was desired.


Hughes   also said Mr. Anderson told him that a decision on the bridge transit option combination would be made without considering or worrying about the execution of   “the details” (location of stations, I-287 lane construction) of accommodating the transit options (commuter rail, bus rapid transit, or light rail) on the Westchester I-287 corridor.


Anderson, Hughes told WPCNR said those “details” would be worked out once the transit alternatives had been selected. Anderson indicated to Hughes a number of alternatives and combinations of commuter rail, light rail and bus rapid transit had surfaced and, they had decided to make the rapid transit decision first as to what would be accommodated on any new bridge.


Presently no decision on the transit combination has been made, Mr. Anderson told WPCNR today, and he had no timetable as to when a decision would be made.


The Schedule


In February a timeline  called for “Announcing Preferred Transit Modes” in May 2008, with “Final Alternatives in Draft Environmental Impact Statement” to be promulgated by the end of June, with an Open House scheduled for June. From what Mr. Anderson said today, the schedule is delayed indefinitely.



In February, documents presented at the series of Scoping Sessions on the Tappan Zee Corridor project indicated a final preferred alternative would be arrived at late 2009.


The identity of the Preferred Alternative was to be announced in May 2009, with Draft Environmental Impact Statement published in June 2009, with hearings on the DEIS extending to 2010. The publishing of the Final Environmental Impact Statement on the “Preferred Alternative” was to happen in February, 2010 with a decision to be made April, 2010.


 

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NY’s 1ST Black Governor, David Patterson to Lead WP Juneteenth Parade

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WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. June 4, 2008: Mayor Joseph Delfino of White Plains announced the 2008 fourth annual Juneteenth Parade commemorating the date of June 19, 1865 when slaves in Galveston, Texas first learned of the freeing of the slaves by President Abraham Lincoln, and proudly announced that New York’s new Governor David A. Patterson had accepted an invitation to be Grand Marshall of  the White Plains celebration of diversity on June 14.



Governor David A. Patterson, New York State’s First Black Governor will be the Grand Marshal of the June 14 Juneteenth Parade in White Plains. Photo, The Governor’s Press Office


 


 




Mayor Delfino, surrounded by the parade sponsors remarked that the Junteenth commemoration was the only parade honoring the June 19 date in New York State, and that was one of the reasons the Governor had decided to honor White Plains. Left to right, Debra Wall, Entergy, Councilman Benjamin Boykin, Jennifer Fernandez, Entergy; John Buckner, Verizon, Janet Langsum of the Westchester Arts Council, and Bernie Thombs, speaking for Coca Cola.



White Plains corporate angels — Verizon, Entergy, Coca Cola and the Westchester Arts Council —  contributed $27,500 to sponsor the parade, Mayor Delfino said the Juneteenth Parade was another great day in White Plains that celebrates  the freeing of the slaves during the Civil War.


 He described White Plains as “a place where you can come here, work hard and pursue your dreams and make a better life for your family. White Plains greatest strength is its diversity, and Juneteenth is a celebration of African-American tradition, education and achievement….what makes us great is that people have respect for each other, and we should never lose sight of the importance of respect for each other.”


Verizon’s John Buckner presented a check for $15,000; Entergy, $7,500; the Westchester Arts Council, $2,500, and Coca Cola, $2,500.


The Mayor said he hoped to arrange some event with the Governor, but he did not know if the Governor’s appearance would entail additional activities featuring the Governor in White Plains, media opportunities, or other events. The Mayor said he would be attempting with the Governor’s office to arrange additional events, if possible.


The concept of the Juneteenth Parade was originally suggested by the late activist, Ron Jackson, Daryll Jenkins, and Councilman Glen Hockley.


According to Daryll Jenkins of the Juneteenth Committee Governor Patterson was invited by  Deputy Commissioner of Parks and Recreation Debra Clay to be the parade Grand Marshall. Ms. Clay is a member of the Juneteenth Committee that works to stage the parade the last three years.



The Juneteenth Committee, 2008, organizers of the Juneteenth Parade.


 


 

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Gov Intros Own Property Tax Cap Legislation–Tours Area–Delays STAR Reform

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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. From Governor David Patterson’s Press Office. (EDITED) June 4, 2008: A day after formally receiving the preliminary report of the New York State Commission on Property Tax Relief, Governor David A. Paterson traveled to Long Island today to discuss legislation he has submitted that would impose a four percent annual cap on increases in school property taxes, which will slow the runaway increases that New Yorkers are experiencing throughout the state.


The bill the Governor has submitted generally mirrors the property tax cap proposal recommended by the Commission, but chooses to delay tying STAR tax relief exemptions to income until after a property tax cap is enacted. In particular, the bill:




  • establishes a “cap” on school property tax levy increases of 4% or 120% of CPI, whichever is less;
  • requires at least 55% of voters to approve any tax levy over the cap, and increases that “supermajority” requirement to 60% if the school district is receiving an increase in State education funding of 5% or more;
  • provides that if the proposal is rejected by the voters, the levy increase reverts back to the cap of 4% or 120% of CPI, whichever is less;
  • authorizes voters to place an “underride” proposal on the ballot if they wish to adopt a tax levy increase of less than the cap (or no increase at all);
  • provides an incentive for school districts to propose increases of less than the cap, by providing for the “banking” of unused levy growth amounts; and
  • preserves the right of all school district residents to vote every year – even if the board proposes a levy increase of less than 4%.

 


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The visit to Nassau County was the Governor’s first stop on a statewide tour in which he will detail the savings a property tax cap could yield for New York’s families. The state’s rising tax burden has impacted its ability to retain young families, seniors and businesses – especially in the face of a national economic downturn. The Governor has made controlling taxes a chief priority of his administration.


“New York is the highest taxed state in the nation and we can no longer afford to ignore the reality that property taxes are driving people and businesses out of our state,” said Governor Paterson. “This trend is disrupting our quality of life because it is straining family budgets, separating grandchildren from grandparents, and discouraging the entrepreneurship that creates innovation and jobs. On Long Island, as in other parts of the state, the story is no different: New Yorkers are calling on their elected officials to come together to comprehensively address this issue.”


Governor Paterson’s Proposed Legislation


The Governor’s proposed legislation differs from the Commission’s recommendations in one significant way – by preserving the right school district residents to vote on proposed levy increases of less than the 4 percent cap. Under the Commission’s proposal, school boards are authorized to adopt levy increases up to the cap without seeking voter approval. The Governor’s proposed legislation preserves the existing right of residents to vote in these circumstances, thereby assuring that all levy increases are subject to voter approval.


The Commission presented its findings to Governor Paterson on Tuesday after four months of study, including public hearings, meetings, and community roundtables that took the panel all across the state.


The Commission’s Preliminary Report highlights a number of key facts:



  • New York State’s local taxes are the highest in America – 79% above the national average.
  • Outside of New York City, 62% of property taxes are school property taxes.
  • In terms of tax rate, nine of the top ten counties highest taxed counties in the nation are in Upstate New York. They are Wayne, Niagara, Monroe, Erie, Chautauqua, Onondaga, Cayuga, Chemung and Schenectady Counties.
  • In terms of amount of taxes per household, Nassau, Westchester and Rockland Counties are in the nation’s top ten.
  • Property tax levies are rising at more than twice the rate of inflation and salary growth.

Commission’s Principal Recommendation


The principal recommendation of the Commission’s Preliminary Report is a school property tax cap to address the unsustainable growth in property taxes. The Commission recommends a cap on the growth of school property tax levies at 4% or 120% of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), whichever is less. The proposed cap is set at a level that allows for reasonable growth of school expenses, while encouraging new construction and protecting capital expenditures separately already approved by voters.


The property tax cap would put voters in control of their school taxes. Voters could choose to levy more than the cap by “overriding” the cap at the ballot box. A vote by at least 55% of the voters would be required to override the cap. If a school district has received a 5% or greater increase in state aid, 60% of the voters would be required to override the cap.


Alternatively, if voters want a smaller increase in the tax levy (or no increase at all), they could enact an “underride” of the cap. As an incentive to save tax capacity for future years, in school districts where the maximum levy growth permitted under the cap is not used in a given year, the unused portion would be “banked” and may be used in any future year to increase the levy by up to 1½ percent.


Other Recommendations


The Commission’s report also recommends that a STAR (School Tax Relief Program) “circuit breaker” be enacted, but only after a cap is put into place. The STAR circuit breaker would provide targeted relief to individual taxpayers based on income and ability to pay. An income tax credit would be provided for a percentage of property taxes paid when the taxes exceed a percentage of the owners’ income. The Commission believes that it would be unwise for the state to adopt a circuit breaker without addressing the core problem – the overall growth of property taxes – with a property tax cap.


Also included in the report are several recommendations to address the root causes of high property taxes. The Commission recommends providing school districts and local governments with relief from costly state mandates that, in turn, increase the property tax burden. Also proposed are several measures to reduce local costs that, again, are passed onto property owners.


Background on the Commission


The Commission on Property Tax Relief was established by Executive Order No. 22 in January 2008 to investigate and make recommendations regarding:



  • Root causes of the high property tax burden, including unfunded mandates and local expenditures;
  • Impacts of increased state aid and existing property tax relief programs;
  • Effectiveness of property tax caps in other states and, potentially, in New York; and
  • The most effective means to impose a limit on school property tax growth without adversely impacting the ability of school districts to provide a quality education to all students.

The Commission is charged with submitting its Final Report on December 1, 2008. Following the release of its Preliminary Report, the Commission will be inviting subsequent comments from the public and interested parties, in addition to conducting further research into the root causes of the property tax burden and other related areas.


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