File #: Res 2057-2009    Version: * Name: Senior citizen water rate relief. (A.07059)
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on Aging
On agenda: 6/30/2009
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass A. 07059, an act to amend the real property tax law, in relation to senior citizen water rate relief.
Sponsors: Michael C. Nelson, Simcha Felder, Vincent J. Gentile, Sara M. Gonzalez, John C. Liu, Albert Vann, David I. Weprin, Letitia James, Melissa Mark-Viverito, Kendall Stewart, James Vacca, Alan J. Gerson, Kenneth C. Mitchell, Melinda R. Katz
Council Member Sponsors: 14
Date Ver.Prime SponsorAction ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsMultimedia
12/31/2009*Michael C. Nelson City Council Filed (End of Session)  Action details Meeting details Not available
6/30/2009*Michael C. Nelson City Council Referred to Comm by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
6/30/2009*Michael C. Nelson City Council Introduced by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available

Res. No. 2057

 

Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass A. 07059, an act to amend the real property tax law, in relation to senior citizen water rate relief. 

 

By Council Members Nelson, Felder, Gentile, Gonzalez, Liu, Vann, Weprin, James, Mark-Viverito, Stewart, Vacca, Gerson, Mitchell and Katz.

 

                     Whereas, The New York State Legislature is considering A. 07059, an act to amend the real property tax law, in relation to senior citizen water rate relief; and

                     Whereas, A. 07059 would give New York City the option to take into account any fee or assessment paid based on the metered use of water when computing an exemption under the Senior Citizen Real Property Tax Exemption program or the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) program; and

Whereas, SCRIE provides senior tenants with exemptions from future rent increases and provides landlords with a tax abatement which can be used to reduce property taxes; and

                     Whereas, On May 15, 2009, the New York City Water Board increased the water rate by 12.9 %, which will go into affect on July 1, 2009; and

Whereas, In the May 14, 2009 edition of the New York Times, it was reported that the 12.9% increase would cost the typical single-family homeowner $900 annually compared to the $800 annually that is currently paid; and

                     Whereas, The Independent Budget Office estimates that since 2001, the water rate has increased by 77%; and

                     Whereas, Senior citizens are considered to be a vulnerable population, particularly due to their low fixed incomes which directly affects their ability to afford basic necessities; and

                     Whereas, In 2006, the median household income for New York City’s senior citizens was $26,536 and continues to remain lower than the nation’s median of $30,200; and                      

                     Whereas, Additionally, in 2006, one-fifth of New Yorkers age 65 and older lived in poverty, compared to 9.9% nationwide, and about 20% of all elderly-headed households earned an annual income below $10,000; and

                     Whereas, This legislation would provide additional relief for certain senior households as a tax offset from increasing water rates; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the New York State Legislature to pass A. 07059, an act to amend the real property tax law, in relation to senior citizen water rate relief. 

 

 

LS #7549

S.O.

6/22/09

12:38pm