VIDEO: County Executive Bellone Calls On New Yorkers To Contact Congress Members Tenney, Reed, And Collins To Oppose Tax Vote
Suffolk County, NY - December 19, 2017 - Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone today called on all New Yorkers to contact three members of Congress that have committed to voting for the final tax legislation in Congress. Bellone released video message to mobilize grassroots opposition against a provision that would limit deductions for state and local income taxes as well as property taxes for homeowners. The members of Congress are U.S. Representatives Claudia Tenney (NY-22), Tom Reed (NY-23), and Chris Collins (NY-27).
Earlier this afternoon, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (NY-21) announced her opposition to the bill that comes only one day after Suffolk County Executive Bellone sent a letter urging her to protect these key deductions. This comes on the heels of a Business Insider report that ranked Long Island the worst place to own a home in the country if homeowners were to lose these critical deductions.
The New York State Association of Counties Board of Directors recently adopted a bipartisan resolution at their biannual meeting in Albany that called on the entire New York State congressional delegation to oppose legislation that would eliminate or limit these deductions. County Executive Bellone is also a member of the NYSAC Board of Directors, which represents 57 counties and the City of New York in Albany and Washington on matters germane to county governments. The Association also informs county officials and the public about issues that impact county governments across the state.
County Executive Bellone has also launched an online petition asking President Trump to veto any legislation that would raise taxes on Long Island homeowners. The petition, which has already surpassed over 8,000 signatures, can be found here. The elimination or limitation of deductions would have a disproportionate impact on Long Islanders. According to the Long Island Association, Long Island taxpayers at virtually every income level could face a tax increase greater than a thousand dollars a year.