EDITORIAL: New Yorkers deserve a debate on capping tax growth

The State Senate reconvenes today in yet another effort to finish a state budget, now four months late. While they're at it, senators should take up another issue that's long overdue: capping property taxes.

The public desire to halt runaway taxes has never seemed stronger, and that's reflected in this year's political races. Gubernatorial candidates Rick Lazio, a Republican, and Andrew Cuomo, Democrat, are for it. Carl Paladino, also seeking the Republican nod, would go further and cut taxes at least 10 percent. Both state comptroller candidates want a cap.

Cuomo held a tax-cap rally in Nassau County last week with Republican County Executive Edward Mangano - a testament to Long Island's high taxes, no matter one's political affiliation.

The Senate's Democratic majority is trying to fashion a cap that can muster the required 32 votes. Proposals vary. Some would limit just school taxes, others include all local government levies. Some would give voters the choice to override the cap. Gov. David A. Paterson wants to cap annual tax growth at 4 percent, Cuomo at 2 percent.

The Senate has approved a cap several times, in different forms. Even if the Assembly resists, senators should go on record. It would build momentum to deal with this longstanding burden and let voters know where their senator stands. hN