Throughout the past few weeks I have heard constituent after constituent tell me that they are tired of property taxes rising every year without seeing any tangible results come from the extra money they give the local government. While there is not a person out there that does not want to see necessary programs, especially education, go unfunded, there is a serious need for tax reform in Albany during this legislative session.

For that reason, I have been an advocate of the property tax commission which will study the issue and come up with recommendations for tax relief for all New Yorkers who have been burdened with increasing taxes, but especially for taxpayers on Long Island where the issue of property taxes and unfunded mandates hits disproportionately hard.

That is why during legislative debate in Albany this past week, a motion was put forth that would have virtually eliminated unfunded mandates that Albany puts on local governments and taxpayers in what ultimately amounts to a financial shell game and an abdication of responsibility on the state's part. The motion stated that any mandate imposed on a locality, which costs more than $10,000 annually, or $1 million statewide to be funded by the state. I supported this measure because it will force Albany to either become more fiscally prudent or to prioritize which programs are worth funding. Meanwhile I continue to work toward making Albany take both actions as a result of troubling economic times and decreasing state revenues.

As for property taxes, while it is true that the recently passed state budget provides historic educational increases for Long Island, many of these increases amount to "too little, too late," to have any real impact on skyrocketing taxes. At most these additional funds will slow the rate of increase, which will not offer long term help to families and businesses struggling to make ends meet.

It is for this reason that I am glad that Nassau County Executive Suozzi is currently heading the commission to determine the best course of action on property taxes. Having someone from Long Island leading the commission will only help to ensure that our voices are heard in Albany and that an eventual solution for this growing problem will be fair and equitable to all New Yorkers. I have offered my support to Mr. Suozzi and believe that his commission will find a solution, which is so desperately needed by New Yorkers.

There is no doubt that New York is facing tough economic times and that the worst may be yet to come. Albany must make sure that it does everything it can to help taxpayers, not harm them through unfunded mandates and forcing property tax increases at the local level.