A grassroots coalition of Westchester citizens, schools, businesses, and local governments is standing together to send a simple yet strong message to Albany: “Stop Taking Our Power.”

 

A grassroots coalition of Westchester citizens, schools, businesses, and local governments is standing together to send a simple yet strong message to Albany: “Stop Taking Our Power.”

 

“The system is broken,” said County Executive Robert P. Astorino. “When 85 cents of every property tax dollar collected by Westchester County is sent straight up the Thruway to Albany, it’s clear we’re losing local control. The time has come to put pressure on our governor and legislators to take action. They must do what they have promised and provide relief from ‘unfunded mandates’ – which really are paid for with skyrocketing taxes, deteriorating schools, and jobs leaving New York.”

 

The STOP Albany campaign officially launched during a press conference last month in White Plains. William M. Mooney Jr. president of the Westchester County Association, said: “The Westchester County Association advocated for the passage of the 2 percent tax cap, as we believed it would drive the mandate relief so needed by our local schools and governments. That latter half of the equation has not materialized, and the time has come to take action with a unified voice.”

 

“Mandated costs are causing sky-high local taxes and we are now facing sharp cuts in services, let alone a decline in our educational system,” Mooney added.

 

The coalition is encouraging New Yorkers to make their voices heard by visiting STOPAlbany .com and clicking to send a letter to their state representatives. Social media will also be utilized to promote the petition via Facebook (www.facebook.com/STOPAlbany) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/STOPAlbany).