By Sarina Trangle
Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Wednesday that state legislators have rallied behind a bill that would ensure city residents who repair homes damaged by Hurricane Sandy are not penalized with higher property tax bills.
The legislation would lower a homeowner’s property tax bill this year to what it was before the October 2012 storm.
“New Yorkers impacted by Sandy are still struggling to get back on their feet. They shouldn’t be asked to pay higher taxes on top of the countless expenses they’ve already faced,” de Blasio said in a statement. “I’m glad to have the governor and such a broad, bipartisan coalition of legislators on board as we move forward this vital property tax relief.”
Currently, city residents who restored a building to its pre-Sandy condition would face higher tax rates because the property’s value has increased.
If passed, the state bill would authorize the city to enact a local law, granting homeowners a partial property tax abatement so their bill stays steady.
State Sens. Joseph Addabbo Jr. (D-Howard Beach) and James Sanders Jr. (D-South Ozone Park), state Assembly members Phil Goldfeder (D-Rockaway Beach) and Michele Titus (D-Far Rockaway) and City Councilman Donovan Richards (D-Laurelton) also praised the bill in a press release.
“After residents of the Rockaways were victims of a natural disaster, they became the victims of an unnatural disaster that is the bureaucracy of government,” Addabbo said in a statement. “I especially want to thank the mayor for not allowing the city to punish the victims of Hurricane Sandy simply because they rebuilt homes that were destroyed in the storm.”
Reach reporter Sarina Trangle at 718-260-4546 or by e-mail at strangle@cnglocal.com.
