Nassau County Legislator Salvatore B. Pontillo recently filed legislation on behalf of the Republican delegation deferring the payment of county property taxes to military personnel who were called to duty in Iraq.

"This piece of legislation will ease the burden of the men and women serving our nation in the recent Iraqi conflict; it will allow them to have a smoother transition once they return to their families and communities," Pontillo said. This deferment is pursuant to NYS Governor George E. Pataki's Patriot Plan, which provides a variety of benefits to members of the United States military who served during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The legislation, once passed by the Legislature, will allow eligible reservists to extend the deadline to pay their Nassau County property taxes for up to 90 days returning from service. "These brave men and women left their homes and families to risk life and limb for this country," Pontillo said. "We should give them every opportunity to re-establish their lives here in Nassau County without the immediate burden of property tax payments." The proposed county deferment plan mirrors similar town deferment legislation introduced in the Town of Hempstead by Supervisor Kate Murray and Receiver of Taxes Donald Clavin. "All municipalities should consider similar plans to aid our returning heroes," Pontillo concluded.