State considering freezing, eventually eliminating school property taxes for seniors

A proposal from State Senate Majority would freeze school property taxes for seniors at their current level with the goal of eliminating them all together over the next ten years.

The plan is part of an affordability agenda aimed at making New York more financially friendly for families and seniors.

"We have lost more people in the state of New York than have come into the state. Now, how bad is that?" Senator John DeFrancisco said.

There are already programs to ease the financial burden for senior citizens. The Enhanced STAR program gives a tax exemption to people over the age of 65 who have an income of $86,000 or less annually.

Sen. DeFrancisco says making New York more affordable for everyone is a top priority, especially for those on a limited or fixed income.

"It's a goal that we're trying to do. It's my goal to reduce or eliminate, or freeze property taxes for seniors, but you have to be willing to do cost-cutting in other areas," Sen. DeFrancisco said.

The concern from school districts is how the loss in revenue would be made up.

Auburn Enlarged City School District Superintendent Jeff Pirozzolo said he supports giving seniors financial relief, but hopes the state has a plan.

"That's great if the state wants to do that, but hopefully they're going to pick up the revenue that the school districts are losing for that," Pirozzolo said.

Sen. DeFrancisco says part of the plan is to reduce unnecessary costs to help make up for the loss in property taxes that would not be coming in from seniors if this proposal were to move forward.

"It's tougher and tougher to increase education funding so let's do it a different way. Let's operate more efficiently and tell me some of the things you think would help you avoid some of these costs you shouldn't have," Sen. DeFrancisco said of school districts.

The Senator cited education and healthcare as two area to focus on when it comes to cutting costs.

The proposal would have to make it through the democrat-controlled assembly, and get the support of Governor Cuomo in order to take effect.