WPCNR MR. & MRS. & Ms. White Plains Poll. May 4, 2008: The recent poll on taxes has indicated that 93% of 346 respondents feel the present 7% annual increase in city and school taxes combined cannot be sustained. The school tax increase is 8.6%  (not 6% as reported by the district newsletter) thanks to the secret BASIC STAR Cut and Enhanced STAR cuts the legisature passed quietly April 14 (and still after three weeks, no other media other than WPCNR has reported this legislative sleight of hand). In their newsletter the school district describes the tax rate increase as 5.98%, failing to mention that the amount of your taxes for a median home is a fat 8.6%.  The $15,000 Assessed home paid $7012 in school taxes this year, and in 2008-2009 will pay $7,618.

Since the people have no control over the city budget, but can vote on whether to approve the school budget, we'd like to know how the public feels. Should White Plains send the school district a message to cut by voting down the school budget, effectively cutting the budget about $700,000 according to the School District newsletter, holding the budget to a 3.36% increase? .

The vote comes up May 20. There will be a public hearing on the School Budget May 12, 2008.