ADAM IN ALBANY. By Assemblyman Adam T. Bradley. 89th Assembly District. January 30, 2006: The governor’s budget calls for a $50 million increase in municipal aid through the Aid and Incentives for Municipalities program, called AIM. And while this is a good start, the Assembly has proposed raising this by $100 million more – a $150 million increase over last year in an attempt to keep property taxes down and to help local governments provide necessary services.
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As the budget now stands, the governor provides AIM funding for the “Big Four” cities – Buffalo, Rochester, Yonkers and Syracuse – and 38 smaller “high need” cities. Meanwhile, the state’s other deserving towns, villages and cities are not getting sufficient funding.
Under the Assembly’s plan, Westchester towns, villages and cities will receive an across-the-board increase. All municipalities in the 89th Assembly District will receive a 15% increase in revenue sharing this year – reflecting an overall increase of $786,217. Those communities include: Bedford, Harrison Town and Village, Lewisboro, Mount Kisco Town and Village, New Castle, North Castle, Pound Ridge and the city of White Plains.
Skyrocketing property taxes have put New Yorkers across the state in financial jeopardy. By increasing help for local governments, we can make a significant difference in the ability of local governments to pay for police and fire protection, road and sidewalk repair, garbage pick-up and sanitation.
The Assembly’s Municipal Aid initiative builds on my on-going efforts to deliver local property tax relief. Last year we worked in a bipartisan fashion and passed an on-time budget that provided local property tax relief by:
· Capping local Medicaid costs - saving Westchester County taxpayers more than $23 million in 2006 – increasing to $112 million in 2008
· Securing $5.1 million in aid for Municipalities in the 89th Assembly District
· Restoring community college aid to $115 per student, providing Westchester Community College with nearly $1.2 million more per year.
I am committed to easing the burden of high property tax bills by providing additional funds to help municipalities meet their financial needs. Providing the necessary funds will offset rising expenses and reduce the need to further burden Westchester taxpayers.
Eminent Domain
There has been enormous concern regarding the Supreme Court’s eminent domain ruling, I am aware of the potentially adverse effects it could have on property owners and we need to make sure that owners are treated fairly and are compensated properly. My legislation will require that just compensation be an amount at least equal to the actual cost of purchasing an equivalent property and further includes reimbursements for all incidental costs such as legal fees, moving expenses and closing costs.
My legislation would allow jury trials for New York homeowners and businesses that had properties seized under eminent domain. The court will also be instructed to award reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs to property owners. Additionally, this legislation will require that reasonable moving and relocation expenses, closing costs, and other costs incidental to an eminent domain proceeding be provided.
The court ruling now specifically allows that eminent domain can be used to condemn privately owned property so that it can be used as part of a comprehensive redevelopment plan to create new jobs, increase tax and city revenues, or revitalize a depressed or blighted urban area.
We have an obligation to ensure that the rights of New Yorkers are not infringed. My legislation will help restore fairness, and give homeowners and small businesses some assurance that they will be protected and adequately compensated if their property is taken under eminent domain.
