Abinanti Calls on State to Pay for Veterans School Property Tax Exemption

Assemblyman Tom Abinanti (D-Greenburgh/Mt. Pleasant) today called for the state to pay for the cost of implementing the veterans school property tax exemption. In a letter to Governor Andrew Cuomo, which was signed by 17 other Assemblymembers, Abinanti asked that the Governor include appropriate language and sufficient money in his 21-day budget amendments for the state to cover the cost of implementing the veteran’s tax exemption on behalf of all of the state’s school districts.

“It is becoming clear that there will be a significant shift in tax burden to the non-veteran property taxpayers in many school districts – especially in small school districts,” said Abinanti. “Understandably, some districts may decline to offer the exemption, which defeats the state policy of providing these benefits.”

The law, signed in December 2013, authorizes school districts across New York State to offer a partial property tax exemption to veterans who served during certain periods. Since its enactment it has created significant controversy in our school districts and communities.

“It is unfair to those veterans residing in districts that do not offer the exemption,” said the Westchester Assemblyman.

Abinanti also sponsors legislation that will allow school districts to provide the exemption to their veterans without shifting taxes to the other school district taxpayers by having the state pay the cost through state aid.