NY Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee
July 18, 2008  Letter in The Journal News

A July 10 Community View by Irving Feiner, "Politicians: It's property taxes, stupid," incorrectly stated my position on Galef/Little, a bill providing a property tax break known as the "circuit-breaker." My record of supporting this legislation is clear. I am now a co-sponsor of the bill. I appeared at a press conference last month in Albany in support of the circuit-breaker policy, and I have stated my support to all constituents, organizations and members of the press who have contacted me.

The circuit-breaker bill (A01575B/S1053B) is a first step toward urgently needed property tax reduction. I commend the bill's authors for including Rockland with Westchester, Long Island and New York City in its regional income adjustments. All too often our county is grouped with "upstate," where housing and essential services cost less than they do in Rockland. This inequity puts an undue burden on Rockland taxpayers. I oppose all funding formulas that fail to recognize Rockland's cost of living as equal to that of downstate counties.

While the circuit-breaker bill will provide significant relief to Rockland taxpayers, property tax reform requires a multifaceted approach. I will continue to seek additional ways to restructure the current tax system.

Tax reform cannot be put off any longer. Rockland taxpayers deserve a break.

Ellen C. Jaffee, Suffern