“Bloomberg, Paterson oppose NY property tax breaks” plus 3 more |
- Bloomberg, Paterson oppose NY property tax breaks
- City officials to ask voters for property tax hikes
- Assessor tries to simplify stateâs complex property tax laws
- Bloomberg, Paterson oppose NY property tax breaks
| Bloomberg, Paterson oppose NY property tax breaks Posted: 20 Apr 2010 02:39 PM PDT ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- As the state Senate's Democratic majority holds out for property tax relief as part of budget talks, opposition is building from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Senate Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson of Brooklyn has said property tax breaks are essential for New Yorkers and the state's economic recovery despite the fiscal crisis. Democratic Sen. Jeffrey Klein of Westchester said the conference insists on its inclusion in the budget. "Too many New Yorkers are paying too much to keep their homes," Sampson said. "Property tax relief represents just 1 percent of the total budget, and everyone in government should do their part to find a 1 percent solution to give overburdened New Yorkers the tax relief they deserve." Paying for it is the problem and the Senate's insistence is a major stumbling block in budget talks. The 2010-11 budget, which was due April 1, must contend with a $9.2 billion deficit, a proposed 5-percent cut in school aid, and still-sluggish tax revenues as New York slowly rebounds from the recession. Various proposals under discussion include spending about $1.2 billion to benefit nearly 1.1 million homeowners statewide. The relief would be targeted toward the middle class, as defined by a percentage of income compared to property tax bills. The details of how homeowners would qualify are still being negotiated. But the Assembly's Democratic majority, while discussing the idea, is also trying to stave off deep cuts proposed for education and health programs, particularly in New York City. Property tax relief isn't a hot political issue in New York City, the base of the Assembly Democrats. But it is a top political issue on Long Island and upstate, where the Senate's Democrats need to continue to win to retain their powerful majority. Bloomberg's Albany team was fighting back Tuesday against funding tax relief at a time New York City schools and health facilities face deep cuts. Deputy Mayor Howard Wolfson, long a powerful Democratic strategist, said he's meeting with legislators to push an all-but-dead proposal to tax the syrup used in sugary drinks and other taxes and fees to help avoid cuts to New York City and its schools. Earlier, Paterson said borrowing money to provide an election-year tax break is bad fiscal policy. "If it means giving back money to property tax payers, as much as we'd like to do it, the only way we could give them the money back is to borrow it," Paterson said. "That's the ultimate bait-and-switch, because at the same time we're making cuts to the school districts, which is what's driving the property tax up. So it's adding and subtracting at the same time." Associated Press writer Valerie Bauman contributed to this report from Albany. Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction. |
| City officials to ask voters for property tax hikes Posted: 20 Apr 2010 11:44 PM PDT Olympia: Proposals to fund fire, transit could appear on August ballotMATT BATCHELDOR; Staff writer | OLYMPIA – The Olympia City Council threw its support behind two property tax increases that could appear on the August primary ballot. The council voted Tuesday to ask voters to consider a property tax increase of 25 cents on $1,000 of assessed valuation. It would pay the salaries for 13 firefighters to staff a new fire station that will be constructed at 3525 Stoll Road in northeast Olympia by early next year. It will be the city's fourth fire station. In separate business, the council agreed to support a property tax increase of three-tenths of a cent on each dollar for Intercity Transit. The transit authority had considered the three-tenths increase, which would allow expansion, but talk turned to a two-tenths increase, which would continue current operations. Without a tax increase, service would have to be cut because the bus service has lost sales tax revenue because of the bad economy, transit officials have said. The authority hasn't decided whether to put the measure on the August ballot. Olympia voters approved a 20-year tax increase in 2008 to raise up to $16.5 million for the new station and training center. But that levy is paying for the buildings and fire equipment, not staffing. The city had planned to staff the station from revenue from planned state building projects and steadily increasing property tax revenue, said Jane Kirkemo, the city's finance director. But the sales tax revenue declined sharply as the nation entered a recession, and hasn't recovered. Also, state projects such as the Heritage Center didn't materialize, costing further revenue. If the Fire Department can't find the money to staff the station by the time it opens, the department will move a three-man ladder crew from downtown, Fire Chief Larry Dibble has said. But that would increase response times for the rest of Olympia. The city has until May 25 to approve a resolution to get the levy on the August ballot. The proposed 25-cent tax increase would be permanent, but the council considered a temporary 25-cents-per-$1,000 increase for an undetermined period. (A staff report erroneously said the proposal for temporary increase would be $1.25 per $1,000, which was repeated in a story in Tuesday's Olympian.) The rationale behind a temporary increase is that it would last only until the economy improves. The problem with that, Kirkemo said, is nobody knows when the economy will improve. "I also find it very compelling that this be a permanent levy," Councilman Stephen Buxbaum said. Matt Batcheldor: 360-704-6869 mbatcheldor@theolympian.com Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction. |
| Assessor tries to simplify stateâs complex property tax laws Posted: 20 Apr 2010 10:24 PM PDT BISBEE — "Arizona has one of the most complex property tax laws in the nation." County tax assessor Phil Leinendecker set about explaining just how confusing property valuations are as well as how important it is for the county's properties to be appropriately valued. The state mandates that valuations be done annually and the county has been under an order to get caught up with property in the Sulphur Springs Valley, Willcox, Bowie and Pearce areas.That's where the confusing part comes in, he told the Board of Supervisors in a recent work session. "When the real estate market is booming, there's not a problem. When it falls off, it takes a few years to catch up to the market decline." Recently, county property owners received their valuation notices for the 2010 tax year. However, those valuations are based on market sales from 2008, said Leinendecker. This is also confusing to taxpayers. The valuation year is always behind the tax year. Market values and sales were not yet in a decline in 2008. In some areas of the county, real estate values have barely declined at all, as with Bisbee. Sales activity dropped nearly 75 percent in 2009 and some rural vacant parcels lost 20 percent of value, added Leinendecker. The 2011 tax year assessed valuation will be of market values of 2009. In an overview of the duties of the state Department of Revenue and the assessor's office, he said the values of utilities, airlines, railroads, mines and other geographically dispersed properties (properties that encompass more than one county or state) are determined by the DOR. Those figures are transmitted to the county Board of Supervisors for entry on the county tax rolls for levy and collection of property taxes. County assessors, utilizing appraisal standards and manuals prescribed by the DOR, are responsible for assessment of other classes of property, including residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural properties, he explained. His office must locate all taxable property in the county, assign a classification and then perform the valuations. These tasks are performed by searching deeds of transfer, mapping new subdivisions and following parcel sales and splits and checking new construction permits. A big task is keeping up with changes in property ownership to be sure the tax bill goes to the right person, he added. Staff from the assessor's office will also visit property where construction is taking place to take measurements of any new additions or outbuildings. "We can access the property to do this, but if we are asked to leave, we do. We then take estimates of measurements and use those figures for new valuations of properties." To determine a property's value, residential, commercial, industrial and vacant land are assessed on fair market value. The special statutory valuation method is applied to agricultural land, shopping centers, golf courses and common areas. In order for land to be granted ag ranch status, there must be at least 40 head of cattle on the property. In some areas of the county, the standard of one cow per 80 acres is required due to meet the dietary needs of the cattle. Value for farmed land is based on the income from the crops. There are exemptions as well that must be considered in the valuation process, stated Leinendecker. For example, widows and widowers, those that are 100 percent disabled and certain organizations get a reduction of around $3,445. There is also a senior freeze which holds valuation rates on a primary residence for three years for those 65 years and older if they meet the income limit and residency requirement. Appeals of valuations or classifications for locally assessed properties have to be filed by April 30. Forms are online at: www.azdor.gov/Forms/Property.aspx . Just The Facts More about how valuations are assessed can be found on the county Web site: http://cochise.az.gov/ and under the department tab, select assessor's office. The assessors can be reached at 432-8650. Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction. |
| Bloomberg, Paterson oppose NY property tax breaks Posted: 20 Apr 2010 04:27 PM PDT By Associated PressApril 20, 2010, 7:25PM Mayor Bloomberg, right, and Gov. Paterson appear together during a press conference on March 25.ALBANY -- As the state Senate's Democratic majority holds out for property tax relief as part of budget talks, opposition is building from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Gov. David Paterson. Senate Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson of Brooklyn has said property tax breaks are essential for New Yorkers and the state's economic recovery despite the fiscal crisis. Democratic Sen. Jeffrey Klein of Westchester said the conference insists on its inclusion in the budget. "Too many New Yorkers are paying too much to keep their homes," Sampson said. "Property tax relief represents just 1 percent of the total budget, and everyone in government should do their part to find a 1 percent solution to give overburdened New Yorkers the tax relief they deserve." Paying for it is the problem and the Senate's insistence is a major stumbling block in budget talks. The 2010-11 budget, which was due April 1, must contend with a $9.2 billion deficit, a proposed 5-percent cut in school aid, and still-sluggish tax revenues as New York slowly rebounds from the recession. Various proposals under discussion include spending about $1.2 billion to benefit nearly 1.1 million homeowners statewide. The relief would be targeted toward the middle class, as defined by a percentage of income compared to property tax bills. The details of how homeowners would qualify are still being negotiated. But the Assembly's Democratic majority, while discussing the idea, is also trying to stave off deep cuts proposed for education and health programs, particularly in New York City. Property tax relief isn't a hot political issue in New York City, the base of the Assembly Democrats. But it is a top political issue on Long Island and upstate, where the Senate's Democrats need to continue to win to retain their powerful majority. Bloomberg's Albany team was fighting back today against funding tax relief at a time New York City schools and health facilities face deep cuts. Deputy Mayor Howard Wolfson, long a powerful Democratic strategist, said he's meeting with legislators to push an all-but-dead proposal to tax the syrup used in sugary drinks and other taxes and fees to help avoid cuts to New York City and its schools. Earlier, Paterson said borrowing money to provide an election-year tax break is bad fiscal policy. "If it means giving back money to property tax payers, as much as we'd like to do it, the only way we could give them the money back is to borrow it," Paterson said. "That's the ultimate bait-and-switch, because at the same time we're making cuts to the school districts, which is what's driving the property tax up. So it's adding and subtracting at the same time."
Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction. |
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