The following material is excerpted from Senator Skelos' speech to the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce on Thursday, September 20, 2007.In Senator Skelos' speech, he unveiled a new proposal to fundamentally reform education financing in New York State, deliver significant property tax relief to overburdened homeowners and improve the education received by our children.EXCERPT FROM SENATOR SKELOS' SPEECH TO THE NASSAU COUNCIL OF CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE OUTLINING THE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF AND EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION ACT
Long Island schools by more than $1.2 billion. That’s a 102% increase during the last 12 years.Still, property taxes continue to rise.Even with $1 billion in local property tax relief this year through STAR and the rebate check program, high property taxes remain the number one concern of every homeowner.And just yesterday, the Long Island Index released its annual survey which found that 89% of Long Islanders feel that property taxes should be cut by about $3,000.Today, I’m announcing a new initiative that I believe could be the first step toward a real solution.
Long Island’s Republican Senate Delegation takes this responsibility very seriously and we’ll continue working with you, and fighting for you, to help you succeed.I thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak to you today and I look forward to answering a few of your questions.
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