You probably have heard that there is a looming budget crisis in New York State. The legislature was called back into special session by the Governor. They were to vote on a tax cap and several budget cuts. Local 802 is part of a coalition of unions and community groups in the Working Families Party. The WFP formed a bipartisan alliance that brought forward a clear choice: tax relief for working families or tax breaks for millionaires.

On Tuesday, the NY State Assembly passed a bill that would give real property tax relief to working families and protect public education. We know that music and art programs are the first to go when school budgets are cut. One more reason for us to demand full support for public education – when there are no music programs for the students who will become our future live performance audiences, our ability to make a living is undermined. Click here to calculate your tax fairness rebate. Renters click here.

The bill’s passage in the Assembly is important. It’s a fair, progressive way to give property tax relief to working families with unaffordable taxes and give the same benefit to renters. It cuts working families tax bills and gives public schools the funding they need to provide a full education.

It’s a big win, but the bill can’t become law unless Republicans in State Senate bring the bill up for a vote.

Tell your Senator: Vote for real property tax relief!

Click here to send a message to your New York State Senator:

To pay for the circuit breaker responsibly, the Assembly’s bill asks the wealthiest New Yorkers, who’ve seen the lion’s share of tax cuts, see chart, to contribute a little bit more. Those earning more than $1 million a year would see their income tax rate rise 1%. Make more than $5 million a year ($96,000 a week) and your tax bill would bump up 1.75%. These rates all less than the similar tax rates that applied from the 1940s to the 1990s

But this bill can’t become law unless the State Senate brings the bill to a vote. Take a moment to tell your Senator: New York needs real tax solutions. Thanks for your help.