Posted at: 03/04/2013 4:45 PM
By: Bill Lambdin
ALBANY - Homeowners who've lived in New York for awhile probably remember the STAR Property Tax Rebate Check.
For middle income New Yorkers, it would average 445 dollars under a proposal put forward by State Senate Republicans.
"They feel overwhelmed and they feel stressed and overburdened by suffocating taxes," said Senator Catharine Young (R - Olean). "Moms and Dads need the government to stop reaching into their wallets."
The rebate checks would be in addition to another STAR tax break that never went away.
The checks used to show up a couple weeks before the November elections, but got dropped in 2009 because Democrats, who had firmer control back then, argued the state couldn't afford it.
"Middle class families are losing ground," said Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R - Rockville Centre). "It's time to do something about it and we urge the Governor and the Assembly to support the Family Tax Relief Act."
The Senate Republicans say restoring STAR rebate checks would cost 1.3 billion dollars. Combined with other tax breaks they're advocating, the total charge approaches two billion bucks.
As Senate Leader Dean acknowledged, this is their negotiating position as they approach the homestretch in budget talks, with agreement due less than a month from now.