2 percent property tax cap remains sticking point for state budget

There are only two weeks to go before the state budget is due, but there remain numerous unresolved issues, including making a 2 percent property tax cap permanent.

News 12 Staff

Mar 18, 2019, 4:34 PM

Updated 1,863 days ago

Share:

2 percent property tax cap remains sticking point for state budget
There are only two weeks to go before the state budget is due, but there remain numerous unresolved issues, including making a 2 percent property tax cap permanent.
Paul Wentz, of Huntington, says something has to be done about Long Island's high property taxes, which was the aim of a tax cap passed in 2011. It limits the tax hikes that school districts and local governments can impose to 2 percent a year. That law needs to be renewed periodically, but now there's a move to make it permanent.
The state Senate has approved the permanent cap; the state Assembly has not.
Suburban lawmakers say there's been some pushback from legislators who represent New York City.
"I think they're looking for leverage on other issues, such as rent control, to be able to get what they want," says state Assemblyman Fred Thiele.
The tax cap is popular among homeowners, but school officials have complained that through the years it's made it difficult for them to add new programs or even fund some existing programs.
Joe Dragone, assistant superintendent for Roslyn schools, says that while the cap has been beneficial in many ways, he says it can always be unfair to school districts. He says anything that's out of the school district's control, like pension costs, should be excluded from the cap.
The state budget is due by April 1. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has said he will not sign it unless lawmakers make permanent the 2 percent tax cap.


More from News 12
0:31
Sources: Body recovered in Barnegat Bay believed to be missing Island Heights woman

Sources: Body recovered in Barnegat Bay believed to be missing Island Heights woman

1:13
Sunny today with highs in the 60s before rain arrives Wednesday in New Jersey

Sunny today with highs in the 60s before rain arrives Wednesday in New Jersey

1:22
Paterson middle school briefly goes into lockdown following gunshots at nearby home

Paterson middle school briefly goes into lockdown following gunshots at nearby home

1:52
Police: South Brunswick crash involving car and motorcycle kills 1

Police: South Brunswick crash involving car and motorcycle kills 1

0:55
News 12 and Red Bulls host Weather Education Day at Red Bull Arena

News 12 and Red Bulls host Weather Education Day at Red Bull Arena

0:53
WATCH: Body camera shows police rescuing dogs at Fairfield business complex

WATCH: Body camera shows police rescuing dogs at Fairfield business complex

0:20
Police: Burglar found in crawl space at Ocean Township diner

Police: Burglar found in crawl space at Ocean Township diner

Police: 1 person killed in car crash on Route 535 in South Brunswick

Police: 1 person killed in car crash on Route 535 in South Brunswick

1:14
Fire officials: 39 people, including 8 children, displaced in Newark Broadway Street fire

Fire officials: 39 people, including 8 children, displaced in Newark Broadway Street fire

0:29
Moscow court rejects Evan Gershkovich's appeal, keeping him in jail until at least June 30

Moscow court rejects Evan Gershkovich's appeal, keeping him in jail until at least June 30

0:27
Newark Liberty International Airport’s Terminal A named world’s best terminal by Skytrax

Newark Liberty International Airport’s Terminal A named world’s best terminal by Skytrax

1:52
Rahway police seek public’s help identifying suspects in attempted car thefts, burglaries

Rahway police seek public’s help identifying suspects in attempted car thefts, burglaries

0:29
Former Wildwood mayor indicted for 2nd time, accused of tax evasion

Former Wildwood mayor indicted for 2nd time, accused of tax evasion

1:29
Best of New Jersey: Enjoying sweet treats at Enjou Chocolat in Morristown

Best of New Jersey: Enjoying sweet treats at Enjou Chocolat in Morristown

0:31
Authorities ID 3 people killed in South Brunswick crash

Authorities ID 3 people killed in South Brunswick crash

0:26
USDA warns of ground beef that may be contaminated with E.coli

USDA warns of ground beef that may be contaminated with E.coli

0:48
9 steps to take if your ‘fur-ever’ friend goes missing

9 steps to take if your ‘fur-ever’ friend goes missing

1:50
Solar eclipse partially to blame for uptick in gas prices

Solar eclipse partially to blame for uptick in gas prices

1:09
Jersey Proud: Dionne Warwick, Kool & the Gang inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Jersey Proud: Dionne Warwick, Kool & the Gang inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

0:21
Bergen County Prosecutor's Office takes over Hackensack Police Department Internal Affairs Bureau

Bergen County Prosecutor's Office takes over Hackensack Police Department Internal Affairs Bureau