NASSAU COUNTY CIVIC ASSOCIATION, INC. "The government is us, we are the government, you and I." Teddy Roosevelt

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November 10, 2004

While we need to fix Albany, reform begins at home

Taxpayers hit twice with property and school tax hikes

On October 25, 2004, the Nassau County Legislature voted 10-9 along party lines in support of the County Executive’s multiyear budget plan which calls for property tax increases in 2006 and 2007. If history is a guide, the legislature will vote to pass these property tax increases when the budgets come up for a vote. Is this the reform voters had in mind?

Nassau taxpayers recently received their school tax bills and were quite surprised with double digit tax hikes. The reason; most school districts did not provide an estimate of the actual tax rates and instead made tax levy projections. Thus voters who supported passage of their local budget were misinformed as to the size of the actual tax increase. During the time of the budget votes, school districts cited two reasons for not providing an estimate of the tax rates; the complexity of estimating rates based on annual fluctuations of property value assessments and the lack of information relating to state aid due to the late state budget. 

According to a Newsday article on November 9, 2004, “Of 54 Nassau school districts posting tax bills in recent weeks, 48 had residential tax rates rising faster than overall tax levies.” This represents the amount of revenue raised from local property taxes which is separate from state and federal aid. Accordingly, the majority of school districts will have a surplus.  In addition, it was reported that only two districts accurately predicted tax rates prior to their budget votes; Garden City and Roosevelt.

The high burden of taxation is one of the most important issues facing Nassau County residents. While the local cost of Medicaid is part of the problem, it is not the only contributing factor. The primary problem is spending at all levels of government. The failure to control the size, growth and cost of government will necessitate higher taxes. Is the size of government limited to what is absolutely necessary and in line with what the taxpayers can afford?

When Nassau residents think of reform, they equate reform with efficient government. Efficient government does not rely on tax increases as a first resort. Efficient Government is open and honest. Efficient government controls spending.  

The true measure of performance is not your intention, it’s the results. High taxation, excessive spending and dishonest government, are these results consistent with reform?

The Nassau County Civic Association has called upon the legislature to reject the proposed property tax hikes and instead look to reduce taxation under their control. We have lobbied the state legislature to pass our proposed fiscal reform package for school districts that ensure fiscal responsibility and accountability. While we need to fix Albany, reform begins at home.  

 

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