The state Senate has approved a school property tax cap that I supported which is designed to reduce the school tax burden of New York families by restraining school tax increases.

Under the School Property Tax Cap (S. 8736):

* School district tax levy increases would be capped at either 4 percent or 120 percent of the annual increase in the consumer price index, whichever is less.

* Residents could vote to create a stricter tax cap for their district through ballot propositions;

* School district tax levies could not go over the cap unless approved by 55 percent of voters, or 60 percent if the district received a state aid increase of over 5 percent;

* Residents would still have the ability to vote on your local school budget.

In addition, the Senate passed legislation (S. 8737) which would decrease mandates on school districts by providing additional state assistance for pension costs, reducing unfunded mandates, eliminating bureaucratic red tape, and creating additional incentives to share services and become more energy efficient.

The property tax cap legislation and mandate relief measures now go to the Assembly. With over 70 percent of New Yorkers supporting a school property tax cap, I hope that the Assembly will listen to your voices and pass these school tax relief measures.

Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr.