Gov. Paterson has made it known that he wants negotiations on a tax relief package to resume after the Labor Day weekend. For the sake of all property taxpayers on Long Island, and in New York State, I am hoping for success.

The lack of a three-way agreement during last month's special session was an extreme disappointment, not only to me, but to every taxpayer.

I would like to see nothing more than to have our legislative leaders re-enter good-faith talks with our chief executive, and bring back to their members a real tax relief proposal that everyone can agree on.

I remain hopeful, but the signs I am seeing thus far have not been encouraging.

In recent days, Governor Paterson has placed the blame on Senate Republicans for the lack of a three-way deal during the last round of talks. He also said that during negotiations in the run-up to the special session dealing with the state's fiscal crisis, the Assembly Democrats proposed $850 million in potential spending reductions, which were opposed by the current Senate Majority. In the end, we passed a $427 million budget reduction package in the face of a $6.4 billion deficit for next year.

I'm sad to say, I'm not surprised.

It is under this Senate Majority that back-door borrowing and state-imposed unfunded mandates on local municipalities have made property taxes soar.

Granted, in this state it takes three to tango. However, much of these increases occurred during the 12 years when the Senate and the Governor's mansion were controlled by the same party.

It was under them that burdens were increasingly shifted onto local governments and school districts, which in turn resulted in higher property taxes.

Coupled with some instances of irresponsible, wasteful and - in isolated incidents - fraudulent budgeting from those entities, it has been middle class taxpayers that have suffered the most.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record: They need relief, and they need it now.

Myself and other members of the Senate Democratic Conference are sponsoring a proposal, the Tax Relief Triple Play (S.8733), that will control spending, ease unfunded mandates, and provide real tax relief to those who need it the most. This is accomplished in ways that reflect the findings of County Executive Suozzi's statewide commission on tax reform, and includes elements that are supported by the governor and both legislative majorities.

I believe this plan would be a good starting point in any negotiations.