“Yesterday, we learned from media sources that the Curran administration, working with the Cuomo administration, had quietly submitted a bill to the state legislature for consideration, in connection with the budget process being finalized in Albany, relating to the assessment of real property in Nassau County. We have confirmed with our colleagues in the State Legislature that they had no advance knowledge of this maneuver and learned of it when we did.
The administration is attempting to sneak significant changes to Nassau County’s assessment and taxing powers through the imminent State budget compromise. It is obviously designed to avoid State and County Legislative deliberative processes, as well as public participation and comment.
The proposal would have the effect of increasing the taxes of every Nassau resident to pay for the county’s residential assessment challenges. Every resident would pay more to provide the County with a fund to pay residential tax refunds. In other words, this is a back-door tax increase.
The proposal would also change the Nassau County Administrative Code to permit the County to assess property at up to 105% of value, without any remedy being available to property taxpayers.
The proposal is a violation of the right of home rule and every tenet of open government. As we try to restore the public’s faith in government, this is a giant step backwards.
As the Nassau County Legislature’s Republican Majority, we are demanding that the Nassau County State Senate and Assembly reject this legislation.”