April 11, 2007

Ranzenhofer Supports STAR Program Reform

Today Erie County Legislators Barry Weinstein, John Mills, and Cynthia Locklear are introducing two resolutions to the Erie County Legislature. Both resolutions pertain to the New York State STAR program.

The first resolution asks Erie County to explore the possibility of maximizing STAR benefits for its residents by requiring Erie County to pledge all additional STAR monies that are received be returned directly to the taxpayer and that Erie County taxpayers are not penalized or adversely effected by the exploration or implementation of a local school tax credit program.

The second resolution introduced today calls on the local state delegation to introduce and support legislation that includes sales tax revenues destined for school districts to be included in the calculation of the local share of STAR benefits.

Our resolutions offer a way to bring additional funds to taxpayers through the STAR program, while at the same time protecting the residents of Erie County. The second resolution will also benefit residents of Monroe, Westchester, Onondaga, and Wayne Counties that also share sales tax revenues with their school districts.

Referring to the resolutions Barry Weinstein said that "the state delegation is being asked to maximize STAR reimbursement for our taxpayers." John Mills agrees and adds "These resolutions are about looking out for the taxpayer, without a complicated shell game." Cindy Locklear believes that "Erie County is functioning under a 30 year old tax sharing agreement that predates the State Star Program. The measures recommended in these Resolutions are intended to remedy the unintended consequences of that 30 year old agreement. These measures will put Erie County's school districts on the same footing as the majority of the other school districts in this State and allow our County's school taxpayers to receive the maximum benefits the State Star Program has to offer."

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