Zebrowski and Skoufis Continue Push for North Rockland Debt Relief

Assemblymembers Ken Zebrowski and James Skoufis continue their push for North Rockland debt relief today in light of the Governor's pledge to help Westchester communities affected by the proposed Indian Point closure.

The Governor's statement on Indian Point read:

"The state will also work with local communities to address potential revenue shortfalls, similar to how it has worked with communities affected by other plant closures through the existing fossil fuel plant retirement fund."

The Assemblymembers once again reiterate the devastation North Rockland has faced from the two tax certioraris filed by the plants' previous owner: Mirant. The plants are currently owned by NRG. Those tax challenges led to a court ordered refund of over $224 million, resulting in a reduction in the taxes paid by the power plant of over $40 million and an $11.2 million annual debt payment. This has led to a decade of funding struggles for the North Rockland School District and the Towns of Haverstraw and Stony Point. Property taxpayers have seen their bills skyrocket due to the lost revenue and debt payments.

The Assemblymembers demand parity for North Rockland taxpayers, similar to assistance that other communities with similar issues have faced, including several upstate municipalities in the 2016 budget. Both Assemblymembers voted against the 2016 budget provision that established a fossil fuel retirement fund because North Rockland was excluded from that program.

"It is unconscionable that North Rockland, which has faced decades of revenue shortfalls and tax increases, would be left out of an assistance program. We will not stop until North Rockland gets the assistance our school children and tax payers deserve," said Zebrowski.

"The children and taxpayers of North Rockland cannot afford to wait any longer," said Skoufis. "We need the Governor to join our efforts and help deliver the long-overdue assistance that's required. It's a flat-out injustice to help so many other communities that face similar circumstances yet continue to overlook North Rockland."