REYNOLDS ANNOUNCES STAR PROGRAMS RESOLUTION PASSED BY LEGISLATURE

Erie County Legislator Robert B. Reynolds (D-12) announced a resolution submitted by the Erie County Legislature regarding STAR Programs Application in Erie County and the role of the Local State Delegation.

"The Erie County Legislature passed a resolution February 5 that called for changing the formula for calculating STAR benefits" Legislator Reynolds said. "Currently, the STAR benefit system is calculated locally using property tax revenues as the sole local component and the sales tax revenue that Erie County distributes to local school districts is not credited in the local share for calculation of the Star benefit. As Erie County increases school district funding with sales tax revenues, the state STAR program benefit for residents does not increase. Therefore, if sales tax figures were included in the calculation of STAR benefits, county residents would receive an estimated increase of twenty five million dollars in their STAR benefit without experiencing an increase in their school district tax rates.

Changing the formula for calculating STAR benefit amounts would return as estimated additional $25 million to Erie County taxpayers and have an economic impact benefit of $100 million. The Erie County Legislature is requesting the New York State Legislature change the formula for determining STAR benefits to include sales tax revenues shared with school districts.

This honorable body would like the support of our school districts and property taxpayers here in Erie County. We are respectfully requesting a support letter written to your New York State Legislators in support of this resolution. If you should need any additional information regarding this resolution or if you have any questions, please contact Legislator Reynolds' District Office at 649-2640.

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