Press release:
Senator Ranzenhofer launches petition to retore STAR Rebate checks
Senator Michael Ranzenhofer and members of the Senate Republican Conference launched a statewide, grass-roots petition drive to restore the STAR property tax relief rebate checks.
The multifaceted petition drive will use email and social networking sites such as Facebook, along with creation of a new online petition to pressure Democrats to restore the rebate eliminated from the state budget.
“Western New Yorkers already pay some of the highest property taxes in the nation," said the senator. "State leaders must reinstate the STAR Rebate checks to provide much needed property tax relief for homeowners. Senior citizens and families often use the rebate checks not just to defray skyrocketing property taxes, but to off-set energy costs, college tuition, and other household expenses. Reinstating the STAR rebate checks is a start to providing real property tax relief for homeowners."
The 2009-10 State budget cut STAR rebate checks for 82,767 seniors and homeowners in the community. Restoring the rebate would provide $141.56 million in tax relief for homeowners in Western New York.
