PRESS RELEASE
CANDIDATE
FOR ASSEMBLY FINDS HOLES IN
LATEST PROPERTY TAX PLAN
Gouldman continues his push for a property tax cap to ease
burden on working families
Bill
Gouldman, candidate for Assembly in the 90th District,
today criticized a new property tax proposal that would
give relief to only half of the families that the current
program includes. Gouldman once again called on the
Democratic Leadership in the Assembly to put forth a
property tax cap, which studies have shown to be the most
effective way to curb the problem.
"Residents
in Putnam and Westchester County are feeling the squeeze
everywhere, whether it's filling up our gas tanks, heating
our homes or paying our outrageous property taxes," said
Gouldman. "It is time for some relief and we need to
start with property taxes. Our current representative
in the Assembly has come up with a plan that simply doesn't
provide enough relief and leaves out many who need
help. After 16 years in office, shouldn't we expect a
better solution from the Chairwoman of the Committee on
Real Property Taxation? She's the most powerful woman
in Albany on the issue of property taxes and unfortunately
we've gotten rhetoric, not action and misguided proposals,
not real relief."
Gouldman contends that the
best way to solve the property tax problem is to impose a
cap on the increase to our property taxes. By tying
it to the rate of inflation, homeowners will be able to
better afford the taxes and our schools will still get the
funding they need. However, the latest proposal does
nothing to slow down spending, which is the root of the
problem. Property taxes will continue to grow unless
the rate of spending
decreases.
"I'll be the
first person to say that my opponent is a nice woman,"
stated Gouldman, "but unfortunately, she has been in Albany
too long and has become an insider, simply voting for
spending increase after spending increase with the
political bosses from New York City. Even worse, her
committee has turned into the place where promising
property tax relief proposals go to die. We don't
need more elected officials who simply 'tax and spend' with
no regard for what a budget means. We need someone
with a business background who has the common sense to rein
in spending and give middle class families a real
break."
After extensive analysis, Gouldman has
found that the proposal is little more than a band-aid that
is actually a step backwards from the current relief that
is provided. Under this new plan, homeowners would
still have to pay their entire bill before they receive a
rebate, but the checks will go out to 1 million fewer
people. In addition, homeowners who have owned their
home for less than five years are excluded. Often,
the people who fall into this category are new families and
they need the help as much as anyone. Nevertheless,
the biggest flaw in the plan is a failure to rein in
spending.
"Even Governor Spitzer recognized he
was wrong, when an overwhelming majority of the public
disapproved of his plan to give driver's licenses to
illegal aliens," added Gouldman. "Now it is time for
our Assemblywoman to listen to the public and push for the
property tax cap that we so desperately want and
need. Regardless of what she chooses, I guarantee
that I'll fight for it."
WJGouldman@aol.com