Re: STAR Programs Application in Erie County & the role of the Local State Delegation
WHEREAS, Erie, Monroe, Westchester, Onondaga, and Wayne Counties share sales tax revenue with school districts; and
WHEREAS, the current STAR benefit system is calculated locally using property tax revenues as the sole local component; and
WHEREAS, the sales tax revenue these counties distribute to local school districts is not credited in the local share for calculation of the STAR benefit; and
WHEREAS, as these counties increase school district funding with sales tax revenues, the state STAR program benefit for residents does not increase; and
WHEREAS, if sales tax figures were included in the calculation of STAR benefits, county residents would receive an estimated increase of twenty five million dollars in their STAR benefit without experiencing an increase in their school district tax rates; and
WHEREAS, residents of counties that provide support for school districts, by sharing sales tax revenue, should not be adversely affected or penalized with lower STAR benefits because of the sharing of their counties; and
WHEREAS, changing the formula for calculating STAR benefit amounts would return an estimated additional $25 million to Erie County taxpayers and have an economic impact benefit of $100 million; and
WHEREAS, changing the formula for calculating STAR benefits has no impact on school district tax rates and has no adverse impact on Erie County taxpayers.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that this honorable body does hereby request the New York State Legislature change the formula for determining STAR benefits to include sales tax revenues shared with school districts; and be it further,
RESOLVED, that certified copies of this resolution be forwarded to Governor David Paterson, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Majority Leader Malcolm Smith, the local delegation to the New York State Legislature, County Executive Chris Collins, and the County Executives and Board Chairs of Monroe, Westchester, Onondaga, and Wayne Counties.
Fiscal Impact: Positive for Erie County property taxpayers.
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