Rockland Officials, Lawmakers Call for End to Million-Dollar Town Fees for Collecting School Taxes

HILLBURN, NY — Senator David Carlucci and Assemblymember Ellen Jaffee were joined Tuesday by school administrators and advocates to demand that Gov. Andrew Cuomo act on legislation that will improve the tax system in New York State.

The proposal, sponsored by Carlucci and Jaffee, allows school districts to collect their taxes directly. It has passed both the Senate and the Assembly and awaits approval by the Governor.

“Taxpayers are being charged an added fee by towns to pay for the collection of school taxes. This added fee amounts to more than $900,000 in the Ramapo Central School District, $1.2 million in East Ramapo, and over $1.3 million in North Rockland,” said Carlucci. “School districts are willing and eager to collect these taxes at a fraction of the cost. Our taxpayers deserve the transparency and efficiency that this proposal will bring.”

"Our taxpayers are burdened by the high cost some towns charge them to collect school taxes,” said Jaffee. “I call on the Governor to sign legislation sponsored by Senator Carlucci and myself that would give these school districts, for the first time, the power to choose what method of tax collection is most cost-effective, fiscally responsible, and efficient, helping these taxpayers save money on their school tax bills."

PHOTO/ Sen. Carlucci's Office