WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2008. July 31, 2008: In response to WPCNR's invitation to clarify her position on the Governor's property tax cap proposal, Assemblywoman Amy Paulin of the 88th Assembly District released a statement to WPCNR late this afternoon, saying she opposes the property tax cap and supports a circuit breaker bill she has sponsored, instead. Her exclusive statement to WPNCR:
Paulin on her Circuit Breaker Bill.
Reducing the tax burden on property owners is a very high priority. At this time, I believe the Circuit Breaker bill, of which I am a co-sponsor (A.01575B) is a better approach to take to mitigate the burden of high property taxes. Currently, my school districts get between 5% to18% of their aid from the state. If the state would assume a higher burden such as some of the high fixed costs such as healthcare and pension contributions, and reduce the number of state mandates, then I could support a tax cap proposal.
Right now, if we imposed a cap, school districts would be forced to fire teachers, increase class size, eliminate courses and cut back on technology and other resource materials. In all honesty, I cannot support such a bill unless the state takes some of the financial burden off the school districts.
Westchester school districts deserve to have our best thinking on this very important issue.
As far as cuts to the current budget I am waiting to see what the
governor proposes.
