Aubertine Touts Comprehensive Property Tax Relief
Senator wants to improve the STAR program so more money goes to 
Central and Northern New York families, not wealthy downstate homeowners

Media Release

WATERTOWN, N.Y., Oct. 9, 2008  —  Today, state Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine applauded that arrival of the STAR rebate checks in Jefferson County – a program he helped create in the Assembly. But he also reiterated his support for a three-part, comprehensive plan to reduce property taxes.

The senator's plan would cap property taxes, end unfunded mandates, and maintain the STAR and Enhanced STAR for seniors program while improving the STAR rebate check program by directing more funds to seniors and working families that need it most.

"My plan is a comprehensive approach that will lead to lower property taxes for everyone in Central and Northern New York," Aubertine said. "I have already voted to cap property taxes and end unfunded mandates, and I have a plan to do this and more."

The Senator reiterated his support for a bipartisan proposal to improve the check program by creating a STAR Circuit Breaker that will apply to all property taxes, not just school taxes, and direct even more money to struggling families in Northern and Central New York.

"We have to improve the STAR rebate check program, so that a family's ability to pay these oppressive taxes is a factor in who gets the most help," Aubertine said. 

"This week, as Jefferson County families began receiving their $250 rebate checks, the state is getting ready to send an $850 check to homeowners in Levittown on Long Island, and $1,450 checks to homeowners in Dobbs Ferry, in Westchester County that are making up to $120,000 a year. That is not fair and it is not right. My opponent supports leaving this STAR rebate disparity in place, while I will work to improve the rebate check program to be more fair and equitable to local families."

Sen. Aubertine also took time to address the misleading statements that his opponent has been spreading about Darrel's strong record of working to cap property taxes and reduce the property tax burden on all Central and Northern New York families. 

"The fact is I have always supported the STAR program and the Enhanced STAR program," Aubertine said. "But I know we need the courage to do more. That is why I voted to cap property taxes, supported an end to unfunded mandates and have proposed a plan to target relief to people across Jefferson, Oswego and St. Lawrence counties who need it most – especially seniors and families with a moderate income."

Despite his challenger's claims, the senator's plan does not touch the Basic STAR exemption that appears on property tax bills, nor does it touch the Enhanced STAR for seniors. What it does do is improve the STAR rebate check program, which currently costs taxpayers $7 million in administrative costs just to print and send these checks in drastically unequal amounts to everyone across the state. He would improve the STAR program by folding the checks into a targeted STAR Circuit Breaker program that is more efficient and better helps the people who need it most.

"Under the current STAR rebate program, too much taxpayer money is going to wealthy individuals in other parts of the state," Aubertine said. "If we tie the rebate to income, more relief will come to Central and Northern New York."
The senator is not alone in his support of a tax cap, mandate relief and the STAR Circuit Breaker. 

Both Assemblyman Will Barclay and Assemblywoman DeDe Scozzafava have co-sponsored a Circuit Breaker in the Assembly (A1575). Aubertinel believes the three parts of his plan will work together to not only help the neediest families first, but actually reduce property tax bills for everyone.

Official: Senator Aubertine