Lowering taxes through efficient delivery of public services
Last Update: June 17, 2008
RESD is a non-partisan civic organization devoted to advocating for the most efficient and effective provision of Fire, Sanitation, and Water services made up of concerned residents across Long Island.
CALL TO ACTION!! There are four pieces of legislation being considered for passage in Albany right now that will reform special taxing districts and lower your property taxes. We need to show our elected officials in Albany that we want relief from the ever growing property tax. You can write to your Assemblyman and Senator by sending them a pre-written letter developed by RESD by clicking on the link below. The window of opportunity will not remain open for long. If this legislation is not voted on before Albany adjourns in June, we will have to wait until the fall before this is considered again. We need you to take action today!! Tell your elected officials that enough is enough.
Albany Passes Special District Reform Law Yesterday, legislation was passed by both houses in Albany (A.11156 - S.8188) designed to improve accountability and transparency of special taxing districts in New York. Improving the openness and oversight of special taxing districts has been a central reform effort of RESD's over the last two years. RESD is pleased to see our elected officials in Albany finally listening to the voters and taking steps that will ultimately help lead to lower taxes for all of us. Below is a link to the press release from New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli.
RESD Exec. Director's Call to Action RESD Executive Director Laura Mallay wote a lengthy Op-Ed piece in Newsday's May 29 paper about the legislation being developed to begin reforming special taxing districts and lower property taxes. She called on readers to contact their Assemblyman and Senator to encourage them to pass the legislation before Albany adjourns at the end of June.
LGEC Commission Releases Report The New York State Commission on Local Government Efficiency and Competitiveness released its long awaited report on consolidation of local government services to assist in lowering the crushing tax burden on New York residents. You can view the full report on the LGEC Commission's website.
RESD Exec. Director Attends Press Event Executive Director Laura Mallay attended and spoke briefly at a press conference held by the Governor and other leading local politicians regarding his proposal to eliminate compensation and benefits for commissioners of special taxing districts and consolidate sanitation service into the Towns. Laura described the proposal as a "good first step" and encouraged the Towns to cooperate in this bi-partisan effort. Read more about the press conference.
There are over 200 special taxing districts providing services for town residents in Nassau County. The sheer number of special taxing districts is one of the main reasons why residents pay some of the highest tax bills in the nation. The burden of paying for all of these multiple and overlapping public service providers has become too much to bear. RESD firmly believes that as people become aware of how their hard earned money being spent by the special taxing districts, our elected public officials will be forced to take action and change the laws. These badly needed reforms will result in much needed efficiency, transparency, and accountability and will serve to lower our taxes.
RESD Member Participates as Panelist for New York State Commission on Local Government Efficiency & Competitiveness
Founding RESD member Laura Mallay paticipated as a panelist in the recent forum on Local Government Efficiency and Competitiveness held at Hofstra Univesity on July 25, 2007. Laura gave an opening statement and answered questions from members of the Commission who were selected by the Governor to develop a set of recommendations by April 2008 to streamline local government service providers. You can read Laura's opening statement below along with other RESD members who submitted written testimony to the Commission.
If you are interested in learning more about RESD or would like to join as a member, please fill out our form or send an email to information@resd.info and we will respond as soon as possible.
405 Coleridge Rd., Rockville Centre, NY 11570 information@resd.info