Goshen, N.Y. - Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus has announced that he supports Governor Cuomo’s proposal to make the tax cap permanent.

Prior to the enactment of the tax cap law, many municipalities raised property taxes well beyond the cost of living. The tax cap has proven an effective means of forcing localities to hold the line on property tax increases. At the same time, Neuhaus urged the State Legislature to eliminate unfunded mandates which plague local governments.

“Governor Cuomo’s proposal to make the tax cap permanent is something I support,” Neuhaus said. “The tax cap keeps tax growth consistent with the cost of living and serves as an important barometer for local governments.”

Governor Andrew Cuomo implemented the tax cap in 2011. Prior to the cap, school taxes increased an average of five percent per year. Those taxes are now limited to an annual growth of about two percent. The cap is set to expire in 2020.

“I urge our Senators and Assembly members to support this measure and also to enact meaningful mandate relief,” Neuhaus said. “In particular, New York should do what nearly every other State in the nation has long done, and shoulder the local share of Medicaid. We also need our State Legislators to fairly fund education, particularly in areas in which the Campaign for Fiscal Equity decision required more funding.”

For more information, contact Justin Rodriguez, Assistant to the County Executive for Communications and Media Relations at 845.291.3255 or jrodriguez@orangecountygov.com.

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