Call for School Tax Reform: New York Seniors Demand Change

This is the time every year that I seriously think about moving out of New York. I just received my school tax bill. I am a retired senior citizen and my school tax was more than $11,000. How crazy is that? I haven’t had a child in a NY public school in quite a long time.

It is not that I don’t support public schools. It is just ridiculous that retired senior citizens are expected to pay such bills. Is it a wonder why so many retired people are leaving New York?

Here is an idea. How about all Seniors who are 62 and over automatically get 50% off of their school tax bill. That would make the school funding process more user based and fairer. In my case I would still be contributing $5,500+ per year with no children in the school system.

I can only assume that our Governor and state legislators are clueless as I don’t see anyone pushing significant changes for school state funding. Every election season I hear talk about it, but every year I receive a higher or the same school tax bill. Not sure what they are waiting on as this seems like an easy fix. How many more people do they want to see leave New York with their pensions and spending power?

Seniors add no costs into a school budget. Seniors should be incented to stay in New York to keep school taxes low. Instead, seniors are being penalized with five digit school tax bills and forced to leave for tax friendly states.

Let’s start a movement. If you are 55+ take a photo of this letter and email it to our state leaders Email to: brabeneck@nyassembly.gov; skoufis@nysenate.gov; and https://www.governor.ny.gov/content/governor-contact-form.