February 9, 2009

LEGISLATOR RATH TRAVELS TO ALBANY TO DEMAND STAR REFORM

Taxable status date moved to March 1.

(Erie County)- Erie County Legislator Edward A. Rath III (15th District) traveled to Albany today to lobby New York State leaders to change the formula used for calculating School Tax Relief Program ("STAR") reimbursement for New York State homeowners. The current formula denies Erie County residents from the same benefits received by homeowners in other counties. Erie County is one of five counties, the others being Monroe, Onondaga, Wayne and Westchester, that share sales tax revenue with school districts. This sharing of tax dollars is not recognized in the current STAR reimbursement formula, thereby denying Erie County homeowners the full benefit of the STAR program. "Due to the fact that we share sales tax revenues with our school districts, the residents of these 5 counties are shortchanged their fair share of STAR monies," stated Legislator Rath.

As he did last year, Legislator Rath was again lead sponsor of a resolution calling on New York State to level the playing field when it comes to STAR and change its formula to recognize taxes already paid by Erie County taxpayers in the form of sales tax sharing. The resolution was co-sponsored by Legislators Mills (13th District) and Walter (4th District) and was unanimously passed by the Legislature on February 5, 2008. "This morning, I will be in Albany at the New York State Association of Counties meeting with Legislators from the four other affected counties and urge their immediate support of this important resolution. I will then meet our state officials to urge that they right this wrong," stated Legislator Rath.

"In these dire financial times, the residents of Erie County need all of the help they can get to make ends meet. This money, to the tune of $100 to $300 per homeowner, would help ease their financial burden," commented Legislator Rath. Rath stated that he will also address other issues with New York State leaders, including the enormous burden of unfunded mandates, barriers to economic development and the need for property tax relief.

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