Cuomo talks up tax-cap plan at campaign stop

Attorney General Andrew Cuomo yesterday took his tax-cap road show to Rockland County where he warned that the way government negotiates with public employees may soon change.

"From Day One, everything has to be on the table," said Cuomo, addressing reporters on the front lawn of Keith and Hollie Bialek of New City, who pay about $16,000 in property taxes after their STAR rebates. "We're going to have to do business in a fundamentally different way. These are different times and everything should be on the table."

Cuomo has proposed capping the growth in property taxes at 2 percent or the rate of inflation, whichever is less. However, he didn't say what he would do if the legislature presents him with a tax cap that is loaded with exemptions.

But he would not rule out supporting a repeal of the so-called Triborough Amendment, a provision of state law that assures public employee contracts remain in force after they expire. That provision has long been opposed by local officials, because it guarantees teachers and others continued "step" pay increases while contracts are renegotiated and robbing government of crucial leverage at the bargaining table. Carl Paladino, the Republican candidate for governor, has called for the repeal of the Triborough Amendment.

Cuomo's pitch has been a source of concern for the state Civil Service Employees Association, which represents 300,000 public workers statewide and has withheld its endorsement this year.

"We're troubled by what both candidates are saying on topics like this," said spokesman Stephen Madarasz.

Local officials say his tax cap can't work without mandate relief - like making the state responsible for all Medicaid costs, and giving them a stronger hand in labor negotiations.

"We strongly believe that you can't cap what you can't control," said Peter Bains, spokesman for the New York Conference of Mayors.

Stephen Acquario, executive director of the Association of Counties, said Cuomo's tone is significant, even if details are lacking. "He said that everything is on the table . . . We want to see what's on the menu, and the menu is going to be served in mid-January."

Paladino's office issued a statement later in the day calling Cuomo's tax-cap proposal "doublespeak," and noting: "Cuomo wants to slow the rate of growth of taxes. Carl Paladino wants to cut taxes."