Today, Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) joined a bipartisan effort to roll back misguided changes the administration made to the state’s School Tax Relief Program (STAR) last year.

The legislation (A.5969) would again classify the STAR benefit as a property tax exemption. The administration’s decision to re-classify the benefit as an income tax credit caused numerous problems for first-time homebuyers and individuals who moved and purchased a new primary residence in the state. These homeowners now have to pay their entire tax bill up front and wait for their state tax return for reimbursement or file new paperwork to have a check sent to them from the state, many of which were sent late or have still not been received.

Palmesano voted to bring the program back to its functional, productive roots.

“The STAR program is popular and successful because it was working well. The administration was trying to fix something that simply was not broken. The implementation was a mess. Requiring seniors, first-time homebuyers and struggling families to front the entire cost of their school taxes instead of deducting their savings right from the bill imposes a needless financial burden. The fact that so many of the rebate checks have been delayed or not even sent added insult to injury,” said Palmesano.

“Our seniors and families face some of the highest property taxes in the country. The STAR program was created to provide real property tax relief. This legislation is about making this initiative functional, productive and efficient for everyone by rescinding the disastrous change that was made last year,” said Palmesano.

Palmesano charged that last year’s change was a budgetary gimmick created by the governor to allow him to spend more money and still technically fall under his self-imposed 2 percent spending cap.

“Having a reliable program that works for seniors and families who deserve real property tax relief is more important than political posturing,” said Palmesano.

This legislation now goes to the Senate for consideration. Palmesano urged the Senate to immediately take up this legislation and pass it so it can be sent to the governor for his consideration.