Albany- New York State Senator Michael F. Nozzolio (R-Fayette) called on the public to contact the United States Postal Service in support of the Purple Heart Stamp.
"The Purple Heart Stamp is a reflection of our pride and dedication to the men and women of our Armed Forces who have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country," Senator Nozzolio said.
The Purple Heart stamp honors the sacrifices of the men and women who serve in the U.S. military. The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to members of the U.S. military who have been wounded or killed in action. According to the Military Order of the Purple Heart, an organization for combat-wounded veterans, the medal is "the oldest military decoration in the world in present use and the first award made available to a common soldier."
With the change in postal rates going into effect January 1st, 2006 there is a possibility that the Postal Service may discontinue the stamp.
"I urge everyone to join me in showing their support for our troops by contacting the Postmaster General and requesting that the Purple Heart Stamp be continued," Senator Nozzolio concluded.
To voice your support for the Purple Heart Stamp, please contact the Postmaster General at:
John E. Potter
Postmaster General
United States Postal Service
475 L'Enfant Plaza, S.W.
Washington, DC 20206-1000
Senator Nozzolio can also be contacted to urge your support at 1-888-568-9816, by e-mail at Nozzolio@senate.state.ny.us or through his website at www.senatornozzolio.com.
SENATOR NOZZOLIO ANNOUNCES $2.4 BILLION
PROPERTY TAX RELIEF PLAN
REBATE-NY Plan Targets School & Municipal Tax Relief, Local Services
Consolidation
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Albany - In an effort to reduce the enormous burden of some of the highest
property taxes in the country, Senator Nozzolio announced that the Senate
Majority Conference today proposed the REBATE-NY plan, a comprehensive, 24
point plan to provide more than $2.4 billion in school and municipal
property tax relief over the next three years, including direct rebate
checks to property taxpayers, expanding the STAR program and the property
tax circuit breaker, and encouraging consolidation of local government
services. The Senate plan would save property taxpayers approximately $1.4
billion in the 2006-07 State fiscal year.
"This comprehensive plan will sharpen the focus on reducing property taxes,
which are among the highest in the nation, and represent the largest tax
burden for millions of New Yorkers," said Senator Nozzolio. "Enacting this
plan as part of the 2006-07 budget would be major victory for taxpayers
throughout the state."
A soon-to-be released report by Global Insight found that, based on the
2002 Census of Governments, local property taxes in New York State averaged
$3,750 per household, exceeded only by the states of Connecticut and New
Jersey. When combined with local sales, income and other taxes, the local
tax burden in New York averaged $6,377 per household, the highest in the
continental US and more than twice the national average of $2,952.
In addition, the Global Insight report found that in 2002, local government
spending was up to $4 billion higher in New York than the average of ten
states delivering similar services. These costs are due to New York's
multi-jurisdictional approach to delivering local government services as
well as a higher cost of delivering these services, requiring $2.3 billion
in additional local taxes and $1.7 billion in additional state support.
"Providing substantial property tax relief with the plan we are unveiling
today will continue to be the Senate's top priority in the next session.
This plan would give relief to struggling homeowners in the form of direct
rebates and would also control costs at the local level that impact
property taxes," Nozzolio concluded.
Highlights of the 24 point plan include:
· $1.9 billion in direct rebate checks to property taxpayers;
· Adjusting the STAR exemption to account for increased property
assessments, saving property taxpayers an additional $250 million;
· Enhancing the property tax circuit breaker for homeowners to save an
additional $100 million;
· Limiting school budgets to one district vote, saving taxpayers
approximately $150 million;and
· Expanded municipal shared services program
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