Rally Against LIPA Tax Challenge Wednesday

Town of Huntington Supervisor Frank Petrone and Councilman Mark Cuthbertson have scheduled a rally to launch a challenge to the National Grid/LIPA tax challenge.

In October, LIPA filed a suit challenging the assessment on the Northport Power Plant, an effort that if successful would result in multimillion-dollar property tax hikes for Huntington Town residents generally and additionally for property owners in the Northport-East Northport School District. With the Northport power plant as a backdrop, Petrone and Cuthbertson will hold a rally to announce the comprehensive campaign to fight the lawsuit, including participation from the community. 

Councilman Cuthbertson and Supervisor Petrone will be joined by a diverse group of local government leaders, school district officials, emergency service providers and community and civic leaders to denounce LIPA's tax certiorari lawsuit.

The town timed the announcement to coincide with the State of the State address, saying that the impact on local residents of a loss of tax revenue on the scale sought by LIPA would dwarf any other action the governor and state legislature take this year.

Councilman Cuthbertson and Supervisor Petrone will announce details of "Stop The LIPA Tax Hike," a multi-pronged campaign to fight the LIPA tax lawsuit, including a new website to raise awareness and educate residents about the devastating affects a successful LIPA property tax challenge would have. The campaign will also include the distribution of "Stop The LIPA Tax Hike" lawn signs and a planned bus trip to Albany to lobby the Governor and New York State lawmakers to help protect Huntington taxpayers.

The councilman and supervisor will also provide an update on the hiring of specialized legal counsel to assist in the lawsuit and an initial meeting of an advisory committee created to provide input and guidance in helping the Town fight LIPA.