Flanagan: Tax Relief Is My Priority

Dear Editor, Northport Patch:

 Let me begin by restating what I have said since the beginning of
 this year – the property tax cap, which I sponsored and voted for this
 January, is my number one priority this year and something I have
 continually fought to get enacted. The tax cap is sorely needed to
 provide some fiscal sanity to Long Island taxpayers and, despite the headline in
 Newsday, remains my main goal THIS YEAR.

 We passed the tax cap in January working with Governor Andrew Coumo
 to put the pressure squarely on the Assembly and to make sure that it
 received immediate attention. This was also a priority of Governor Cuomo’s
 and by joining together quickly, we sought to make sure that the Assembly
 did not ignore this important issue.

 Now that the Senate has passed the tax cap, we await the Assembly’s
 action on the bill.

 (Please click on this link to see view my Senate Floor comments on this
 important legislation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0rMLqYqg6Y)

 The problem with this state is not that it taxes too little; it is
 that it spends too much on every level. Using a multi-faceted approach
 will provide our taxpayers with the long-term relief they need and the
 reforms our tax system needs to protect our taxpayers. It will help
 guarantee that our state is fulfilling all of its obligations to local
 taxpayers and force the Assembly to do more than the bare minimum in
 regards to tax relief for our residents.

 Right now – the pressure is on the Assembly to join with the Senate
 and Governor Cuomo and we need to make sure that they do everything
 possible to help our taxpayers – that includes enacting tax cap, mandate
 relief and a cap on state spending. Only then will the pressure on
 taxpayers truly be relieved. Any solution that addresses one area but
 fails to address the others will not provide the relief you and your
 families need.

 Providing that relief continues to be my main goal this year. As
 always, I welcome your thoughts and comments on this important topic and
 thank you for your time.

 John Flanagan
(R-East Northport)