Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,I,C – Batavia) is pointing to a recent study conducted by the Tax Foundation as further evidence that Western New Yorkers need immediate relief from skyrocketing property taxes. Orleans County homeowners pay the highest property tax bill relative to home value in the nation, with Niagara and Monroe counties ranking second and third, respectively.

“New York’s decade-long spending spree has forced upstate taxpayers and businesses to the brink of financial ruin, particularly here in Western New York,” said Hawley. “We must rein in spending and eliminate state mandates that make it impossible for local governments and school districts to operate efficiently and effectively. Once we have reduced the size and cost of state government, we can institute a property tax cap to protect New York’s overburdened taxpayers.”

The Tax Foundation is a non-partisan, Washington D.C.-based research group. The study found that the nation’s 15 highest-taxed counties are north of New York City.