Dear NFIB/New York member,
Small business owners in New York are being crushed by our state's oppressive tax burden.
Property taxes in particular are a huge part of this problem. Between 2000 and 2005, property taxes increased 42 percent -- more than three times the rate of inflation. Property taxes are by far the largest and fastest growing component of most New Yorkers' tax bills and are the main reason why New Yorkers are saddled with the highest tax burden in the nation. Forty percent of the property tax burden is paid by business, totaling more than $14 billion and making it the single largest tax on business in New York. As a small business owner, you are hit from both ends, bearing this tax burden on both your business and your home.
In our most recent NFIB State Member Ballot, we asked small business owners about a property tax cap. An overwhelming 83 percent of them supported it.
That is why NFIB/New York strongly supports Gov. Paterson's proposal to cap property taxes. The governor's plan would cap the rate of growth of property taxes at 4 percent or 120 of the consumer price index, whichever is lower.
Gov. Paterson continues to press for action on the property tax cap, in the face of strong but predictable opposition from big labor. While Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos has signaled his conference's support for the tax cap, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver has indicated that he is not willing to take up the measure at this time.
We need your help to put pressure on the Assembly to bring this important measure to a vote. Please use the form below to write to your Assemblymember and encourage them to support the property tax cap-and urge them to press the Speaker to bring it to the floor.
Such an important and widely-supported proposal deserves at least an up-or-down vote in both houses of the Legislature. Small business owners and taxpayers in New York, too many of whom are being driven from their homes and businesses by unsustainable property taxes, are entitled to no less.
Thank you for taking the time to join us in the fight for a property tax cap-an important first step toward relief for New York's beleaguered taxpayers.
Sincerely,
Mike Elmendorf
State Director, NFIB/New York
