Cuomo, saying property taxes out of control, touts cap

Attorney General Andrew Cuomo took his tax-cap road show to Rockland County Wednesday, where he bemoaned New Yorkers' high property tax burdens on the front lawn of Keith and Hollie Bialek, who pay about $16,000 after their STAR rebates.

"This is not about the daily antics of Carl Paladino," Cuomo said. "Taxes are out of control."

Cuomo has proposed capping the growth in property taxes at 2 percent or the rate of inflation, whichever is less. However, he declined to say what he would do if the Assembly presents him with a tax cap that is loaded with exemptions.

Cuomo also would not take a position on the repeal of the so-called Triborough Amendment to the Taylor Law, a provision of state law that assures public employee contracts remain in force after they expire, thus guaranteeing teachers and others continued "step" pay increases while contracts are renegotiated and robbing government of crucial leverage at the bargaining table.

Paladino, the Republican candidate for governor, has called for the repeal of the Triborough Amendment, but the attorney general would go no further than refusing to rule it out.

"Everything has to be on the table," he said.

Cuomo also did not take a position on the arbitration provisions of the Taylor Law due to expire next July, which have led to leapfrogging pay increases for Nassau, Suffolk and village police unions and driven average pay over $100,000 for officers.