Ceretto votes to enact property tax cap

Assemblyman John Ceretto, R-I-Lewiston, voted on Monday in favor of an amendment that would bring property tax cap legislation, passed earlier this year by the State Senate, to the Assembly floor for an up or down vote. The bill, which Ceretto supported, would cap property tax increases at 2 percent.

"Exorbitant property taxes continue to strain the budgets of Western New York families and seniors, as well as having a severe impact on the region's housing market," Ceretto said. "By capping property taxes, the legislature would take the first step toward providing Western New Yorkers with needed relief from this costly burden."

Ceretto argued that implementing a property tax cap would be a crucial first step in providing relief to local taxpayers. Step two would be providing mandate relief to school districts and local governments.

"Governor Cuomo, the State Senate and Assembly members from across the state are in favor of enacting a property tax cap. We need the Assembly leadership to take up this important tax relief policy now and pass this bill before the conclusion of this year's session. The homeowners of Western New York are counting on us," Ceretto said.

The amendment to bring the governor's property tax cap bill to the floor of the Assembly for a vote was defeated by a vote that fell almost entirely along party lines.