Property Tax CapMay 23, 2011 -- A state tax cap must go hand-in-hand with relief from state mandates.

That's the message from County Executive Robert P. Astorino, and he is asking county residents to let their state assembly members and senators know this.      

 "A tax cap, which I strongly support, without mandate relief is like running up a credit card debt on a fixed income," Astorino says in a video message to residents. "It's going to bankrupt you fast."

The state Legislature and Gov. Cuomo are considering both a property tax cap and mandate relief, but there is a possibility the tax cap will be adopted first -- and then no certainly that mandate relief will be enacted. Currently, state and federal mandates eat up about 80 percent of Westchester's tax levy dollars, leaving less and less for "discretionary" spending on such things as parks, buses and public safety.

"A tax cap alone would be disastrous for municipalities," Astorino said. "That is where I need your help. I urge you to contact your local state legislators to let them know that mandate relief from Albany is just as important as a property tax cap."

Below is a list of local members of the state Assembly and Senate. If you don't know who your representatives are, use this interactive form to locate them.

Below is some text for your message, although you are encouraged to write your own.

Suggested message:

Dear Legislator,

I support the Governor's proposal for a property tax cap, but, as stated by County Executive Robert P. Astorino, this must be adopted hand-in-hand with mandate relief for local governments and school districts. To do otherwise would be disastrous.

State Assembly

87 A.D. J. Gary J. Pretlow
Local: (914) 667-0127
Albany: (518) 455-5291
E-mail:
Contact Web form: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/J-Gary-Pretlow/contact/

88 A.D. Amy Paulin
Local: (914) 723-1115
Albany: (518) 455-5585
E-mail:
Contact Web form: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Amy-Paulin/contact/

89 A.D. Robert J. Castelli
Local: (914) 686-7335
Albany: (518) 455-5397
E-mail:
Contact Web form: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Robert-J-Castelli/contact/

90 A.D. Sandra R. Galef
Local: (914) 941-1111
Albany: (518) 455-5348
E-mail:
Contact Web form: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Sandy-Galef/contact/

91 A.D. George S. Latimer
Local: (914) 777-3832
Albany: (518) 455-4897
E-mail:  
Contact Web form: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/George-S-Latimer/contact/

92 A.D. Thomas J. Abinanti
Local: (914) 631-1605
Albany: (518) 455-5753
E-mail:  
Contact Web form: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Thomas-J-Abinanti/contact/

93 A.D. Mike Spano
Local: (914) 779-8805
Albany: (518) 455-3662
E-mail:  
Contact Web form: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Mike-Spano/contact/

99 A.D. Steve Katz
Local: (845) 279-5301
Albany: (518) 455-5783
E-mail:  
Contact Web form: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Steve-Katz/contact/

State Senate

34 S.D. Jeffrey D. Klein
Local: (718) 822-2049
Albany: (518) 455-3595
E-mail:  
Contact Web form: http://www.nysenate.gov/senator/jeffrey-d-klein/contact

35 S.D. Andrea Stewart-Cousins
Local:  (914) 423-4031
Albany: (518) 455-2585
E-mail:  
Contact Web form: http://www.nysenate.gov/senator/andrea-stewart-cousins/contact

36 S.D. Ruth Hassell-Thompson
Local: (914) 665-2400
Albany: (518) 455-2061
E-mail:
Contact Web form: http://www.nysenate.gov/senator/ruth-hassell-thompson/contact

37 S.D. Suzi Oppenheimer
Local: (914) 934-5250
Albany: (518) 455-2031
E-mail:  
Contact Web form: http://www.nysenate.gov/senator/suzi-oppenheimer/contact

40 S.D. Greg Ball
Local: (845) 279-3773
Albany: (518) 455-3111
Email:  
Contact Web form: http://www.nysenate.gov/senator/greg-ball/contact