- Target:
- New York State Governor David Paterson, NYS Senators & Assembly Members
- Region:
- United States of America
- Website:
- www.catskillcenter.org
Thank you to everyone who signed our petition and submitted comments on the Governor's proposal to freeze State property taxes! The Catskill Center collected over 1,000 signatures from our online and paper petition drive to Governor Paterson and New York State Legislators. The petitions have been sent to Albany, and we hope all our voices will be heard. The Catskill Center will continue to work with our communities to oppose a State property tax freeze. To keep posted on our efforts, sign up for our eNews at: http://www.catskillcenter.org/premiums/wallpaper.html
In his 2009-2010 budget, Governor David Paterson proposes to freeze State property tax payments at 2008 rates on State lands, including the Catskill Park. The Governor's proposal would force local residents and business owners to pick up the State's tab on future tax increases at the county, municipal, and school district levels.
The NYS Legislature made a commitment to pay full local property taxes in 1886, when it created the Adirondack Forest Preserve. A similar commitment was made when the Catskill Park was created in 1904. State tax payments are compensation for the prohibition against commercial use of the Forest Preserve, and in recognition of the services provided by local taxpayers, including police, fire, courts, and road maintenance.
We, the undersigned, oppose Governor Paterson's proposal to freeze New York State property tax payments at 2008 rates on State lands (including the Adirondacks, Catskill Park, Tug Hill Region, Palisades Parkway, Allegany State Park, Cattaraugus County, and many others).
This proposal creates an undue tax burden on our counties, towns, and school districts. We urge the NYS Legislature to reject the Governor's proposal in order to protect our communities.
We thank you for your action on this important matter.
The Save Our Communities - Stop the Gov's Tax Freeze petition to New York State Governor David Paterson, NYS Senators & Assembly Members was written by The Catskill Center and is in the category Local Government at GoPetition.