New York State Governor Eliot Spitzer delivered the state-of-the-state address last week, during which he said the state must get a handle on the escalating property taxes.

"Wherever I go, I hear the same thing: Property taxes are too high. We cannot grow if property taxes continue to force young people out of the state and our seniors out of their homes. Together, we have tried to address these crimes," Spitzer said.

The governor pointed that after ensuring more than $5 billion in STAR property tax relief each year and spending more than a billion dollars on the state takeover of Medicaid costs, property taxes just keep going up.

"A rebate check may temporarily ease the pain, but it doesn't cure the disease. In the end, it's a losing game for the taxpayer. If the state gives you a rebate check on Monday, then on Tuesday, your local government taxes it away," Spitzer said.

While high property taxes are no secret to all of Long Island, thus far, people haven't seen much relief. Spitzer proposed a commission to return with three sets of recommendations.

One set would be a package of reforms that gets at the root causes of what is driving taxes so high. "This should include a look at unfunded mandates on both school districts and municipalities," the governor said.

The second set of recommendations would be proposals on how to make the tax relief system fairer to the middle class taxpayer and the third proposal would be for a fair and effective cap "to hold the line on sky-high school district property taxes once and for all," he said.

Spitzer appointed Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi to lead the commission. Suozzi was Spitzer's opponent in the 2006 Democratic primary for governor.

Suozzi has also spoken at length of the problem of rising property taxes in the county. "The biggest issue we face is ever-rising property taxes. School taxes, which make up 65 percent of the taxes we pay, seem to rise each year. County taxes, which this legislature and I levy, make up another 15 to 20 percent, and town and village taxes, which make up the remaining 15 percent to 20 percent, are together placing an enormous strain on every family," he said in his state-of-the county address in 2005. "New businesses and young college graduates are discouraged from locating here and the seniors who moved here when suburbia first began 50 or 60 years ago are now house rich, but income poor and are especially hurting. Everything I do as county executive is guided by a constant thought - how do we keep property taxes down?"

An hour before the governor's "State-of-the-State Address," Spitzer and Assemblyman Tom Alfano had a candid discussion about expanding the economic base of the communities impacted by Belmont racetrack. It was, according to Alfano, "one of the most positive discussions I've had so far in this process."

Alfano and Spitzer talked about a development plan for the immediate area around Belmont that would weave together shopping and entertainment. The plan, according to Alfano, will mean "jobs, jobs, jobs and economic development that will reduce property taxes for homeowners."

"The governor and I talked face to face and he's with us 100%. He's committed to the introduction of VLTs (video lottery terminals) and he wants to work with me to boost the economy in Elmont, Floral Park, Franklin Square and surrounding communities. This is another great step forward for our area. We've got the governor's attention and he wants to be our partner," Alfano said.

The discussion between Alfano and the Governor is the second the pair have had in less than a week. Recently, Spitzer called Alfano and pledged his support for the community and Alfano's plan for Belmont. In the discussion, Spitzer asked Alfano to work with him on the initiative through the budget process and beyond.

Alfano noted that his plan for Belmont includes investment in the infrastructure for the Floral Park and Elmont communities. That investment of funding will be through the local school districts, village and economic development projects. Alfano stated that funding would be earmarked for increased police protection through the Floral Park Police Department and Fifth Precinct respectively. Additionally, Alfano is looking to assist the Village of Floral Park with infrastructure projects such as paving programs, flood mitigation and other priorities village residents cite to improve quality of life and business.

"What we want to do is simple. We want to identify community needs and address them. My number one priority is to channel funding to help reduce property taxes," Alfano said.

In Elmont, Alfano said he "wants to help jump start the process of economic development throughout the area. We want to create good jobs that will truly bring our local economy the assistance it needs. Funding for schools is a top priority. Belmont is just one part of the plan that will help us start this process."

In Alfano's discussions with Spitzer, he noted that when the tax base is expanded and jobs are created, the communities improve. "That should be our primary focus. We need to concentrate all our efforts on making sure that we grow our local economy. That helps homeowners by taking the tax burden off their backs," Alfano said.

Alfano said he looks forward to the Governor's budget presentation in the next few weeks.