The New York State Governor has vetoed two Orange County preservation bills that would help local communities fight back against climate change. If given the chance, she'll veto a third.
Members of our NYS Legislature may not want to enact a brand new tax (or fee) on their home owning constituents who are already angry about property taxes and the cost of living.
Especially with Election Day just 5 months away.
Especially here in Monroe where our Town Supervisor locked us into a 30 year bond for $19.5 million which is essentially paying for land preservation.
Please note, I am a paid subscriber and I read every word of your gonzo (forgive the 1960’s reference) journalism. No one else is “telling it like it is”.
I appreciate the Hunter S. Thompson reference. That's exactly what I'm going for. :-)
And, that's very true. I think the State-Wide bill should be a bit more clear in its language that it's granting the option to tax via a public referendum rather than just allowing them to institute a tax.
Thanks for shining the light on this important issue of enabling and empowering residents to be able to vote on whether they want a Community Preservation Fund funded by Transfer fees on real estate closings in their communities to preserve some of their open spaces in Orange County. Unfortunately, Democrats are preventing their constituents from simply having a voice on this very important issue. For some reason, the fee which is dedicated to a specific service, is incorrectly referred to as a tax. Either way, no matter what it is called, residents should have the right to decide whether they want a Preservation Fund in their community.
Members of our NYS Legislature may not want to enact a brand new tax (or fee) on their home owning constituents who are already angry about property taxes and the cost of living.
Especially with Election Day just 5 months away.
Especially here in Monroe where our Town Supervisor locked us into a 30 year bond for $19.5 million which is essentially paying for land preservation.
Please note, I am a paid subscriber and I read every word of your gonzo (forgive the 1960’s reference) journalism. No one else is “telling it like it is”.
Dan Burke
Elder Statesman
I appreciate the Hunter S. Thompson reference. That's exactly what I'm going for. :-)
And, that's very true. I think the State-Wide bill should be a bit more clear in its language that it's granting the option to tax via a public referendum rather than just allowing them to institute a tax.
Although it is called a tax, the Community Preservation Fund in Warwick actually collects a fee, during closing, for a specific service: Preservation.
Thank you for the heads-up Derek. I did not know that!
Brandon,
Thanks for shining the light on this important issue of enabling and empowering residents to be able to vote on whether they want a Community Preservation Fund funded by Transfer fees on real estate closings in their communities to preserve some of their open spaces in Orange County. Unfortunately, Democrats are preventing their constituents from simply having a voice on this very important issue. For some reason, the fee which is dedicated to a specific service, is incorrectly referred to as a tax. Either way, no matter what it is called, residents should have the right to decide whether they want a Preservation Fund in their community.