“I am very pleased to announce that the Legislature’s bipartisan budget agreement provides significant relief for the overburdened Westchester taxpayers,” said Bradley.  “Our plan will deliver much needed tax relief to those who need it most – homeowners, seniors and hard-working New Yorkers.”

Relief from high property taxes

The Legislature’s budget will provide Westchester families with significant property tax relief. Our plan increases and enhances the STAR program by delivering Westchester taxpayers an additional rebate:

o       an average basic STAR rebate of $532

o       an average Enhanced STAR rebate of $822

In addition, the budget provides a cost of living adjustment to Enhanced STAR, which will save eligible Westchester seniors another $373 – bringing the combined average Westchester Enhanced STAR savings to $3,934.

Meanwhile, the basic STAR savings in Westchester is estimated to be $1775, combined with the Basic STAR rebate of $532 for a total Basic STAR savings of $2,307.

“Westchester taxpayers need immediate relief from the burden of high property taxes and soaring housing costs – this historic budget agreement delivers just that type of relief,” said Bradley.

Rejecting the governor’s sales taxes on clothing

The Legislature’s proposal also rejects the governor’s extension of the state sales tax on clothing and footwear items priced under $110 – which is scheduled to expire on April 1.  Permanently eliminating the regressive 4 percent state sales tax on clothing will save Westchester shoppers $38 million a year, and make Westchester merchants more competitive with their Connecticut and New Jersey neighbors.

A child tax credit for more families

The Legislature’s budget also contains a new child tax credit. The child tax credit is a maximum benefit of $330 for each child between 4 and 17 for every family in the state.

Bradley also noted that the Legislature also proposes to reduce the marriage penalty tax, which will save married couples $41 million annually when fully phased in.  The plan also includes:

·        an income tax credit for volunteer firefighters, which will save them $25 million when fully phased in

·         a tax deduction for New York State National Guard members called to federal service – saving them $1 million

 “I urge the governor to join the Assembly and Senate by ratifying our bipartisan budget agreement that provides more Westchester residents with meaningful tax relief,” said Bradley.

          Capital Projects Relief for Westchester Colleges.

“This is another victory for students following the recent bipartisan legislative agreement to reject the governor’s SUNY tuition hike,” said Bradley. “The agreement by the Senate and Assembly is a big step toward building upon Westchester’s world class institutions of higher learning.”

The bi-partisan agreement provides over $34.1 million to local colleges for capital improvement projects, including:

·         $6 million to SUNY Purchase for the Heritage Site

·        $8.1 million to SUNY Purchase for HVAC renovations – to rehabilitate the campus’ central plaza

·        $20 million to Westchester County Community College for additional Master Plan Projects

“These funds reinforce my commitment to strengthen and enhance Westchester’s institutions of higher learning.  There is no doubt that these fine colleges are in tremendous need of capital improvements and I am pleased that we have come together to meet the needs of Westchester’s higher education institutions,” said Bradley. “I strongly encourage the governor to support the bipartisan capital plan for SUNY and Westchester County Community College contained in the Legislature’s agreement.”