Push for state property tax cap on hold

ALBANY - The push for a statewide property tax cap has stalled for now.

Democrats who control the state Assembly say they might not take up a tax-cap bill until after the state budget is completed. That is due April 1 and the Assembly's second-most powerful Democrat said it would be a "heavy lift" to come to a tax-cap consensus before then.

"It's a lot to pull together," said Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrari (D-Cohoes). "It's a lot for us to debate, analyze and come to a consensus on. A cap involving the entire state - in a way that doesn't totally handcuff local governments - it's not handled that easily."

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has made implementing a property tax cap a top priority. He favors a bill that would limit tax increases to 2 percent or the rate of inflation - now about 1.5 percent - whichever is less. The cap could be overridden only by a vote of the local governing board and a 60 percent majority in a local referendum. The only exceptions would be payments for capital construction and legal settlements.

The Republican-led Senate passed Cuomo's bill on Jan. 31. GOP senators and Assembly members have tried to pressure the Democrats to follow suit. But Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) says there have been no talks with Cuomo and Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) about the issue.

"Long Island families are struggling under the weight of high property taxes," said Skelos spokesman Scott Reif, "and they shouldn't have to wait any longer for the Assembly to act so they can get the relief they need and deserve."

A Cuomo spokesman declined to comment.

Canestrari made clear that he's sure the legislature eventually will adopt a cap, though it's not a given that the Assembly will agree with the same provisions.

"Do I think it's going to happen? Yes," he said. "But the details remain to be seen. . . . If it takes another month or two, it isn't the end of the world."

Some Democrats think it best to bundle the cap with the budget because both would have such an impact on local governments.