Engel and Antonio Rodriguez, a young couple with two small children, are trying to make it in Nassau County, where the prices of homes and taxes are two hurdles many residents face. The Rodriguez's see many of their friends leaving Long Island. However, the couple plans to purchase a home in Roosevelt and take advantage of a new proposal that gives first-time homebuyers a tax exemption on the county portion on their tax bill.

Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi and Nassau County Legislator Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs announced that the county would offer a tax exemption for first-time homebuyers for the first five years they own their homes.

Jacobs said the exemption is a way for the county to help people stay on Long Island. "It is my hope that this new law will encourage first-time homebuyers to purchase their first home in Nassau County rather than join the exodus of young people we heard about who are choosing to leave the area due to the high property taxes," she said.

The exemption calls for 50 percent off the county portion of the taxes for the first year of owning the home. Therefore, a home with the average tax bill of $1,820 in county taxes would receive a $910 discount the first year. The law calls for a 40 percent exemption in the second year; 30 percent the third year; 20 percent the fourth year and 10 percent the fifth year.

Suozzi, who recently lost a primary for the Democratic nomination for governor, said Nassau County is a great place to live but there are three main problems facing residents - high taxes, traffic and young people leaving.

The exemption, he hopes, will help people buy a home and stay in the county. "We all know that property taxes are too high and this legislation will go a long way toward leveling the playing field for some hard-working families who until now have been unable to afford a home," he said.

But before prospective first-time homeowners jump for joy, there are some restrictions that have to be met before qualifying for the exemption. The exemption only applies to newly constructed homes and to homes that undergo at least $3,000 worth of renovations within 90 days of the closing date on the home. In addition, the home cannot be worth more than $429,000 and the income of the homebuyer for a family of two cannot exceed $64,000.

The exemption law is expected to be voted on by the legislature on November 13, signed into law by Suozzi and then go into effect on January 1. Jacobs and Suozzi say the exemption will become a law because it's the right thing to do to keep families on Long Island.

According to Jacobs, offering the exemption will cost the county $37,000 a year.

But, while some effort is being made to lessen the burden on first-time homeowners, the biggest burden facing taxpayers are school taxes. The average tax bill for Nassau residents for 2006-2007 ranges from $3,508 for Island Park School District residents to $12,837 for East Williston residents.

Suozzi is in favor of bringing more state aid to fund Long Island schools and points out 17 percent of funding for Long Island schools comes from state aid, whereas in Westchester, it is 25 percent to 26 percent. However, as county executive, he doesn't have the power to increase state aid to Nassau County school districts.