Cuomo Says Property Tax Cap Not an Obstacle to Raising Funds for Flood Clean Up

By Karen DeWitt

Albany, New York – Governor Andrew Cuomo says he does not think the 2% property tax cap enacted into law earlier this year will put a damper on local governments' efforts to raise funds to clean up flood damage from tropical storm Irene.

Cuomo says the property tax cap, does have a relief valve; voters, who can decide to override the cap, as long as they can muster a supermajority, 60% to vote yes.

"If they want to raise their taxes by 20%, God bless them," said Cuomo. "If they believe they need to raise their taxes, they can do it."

Over the weekend, the governor traveled to Keene in the Adirondacks and flood damaged sites in the Catskills, to help with a volunteer effort, and he says the clean up is making progress. Now, Cuomo says he has to make sure the federal agencies like FEMA and the USDA follow through with promised aid.

Cuomo says he doesn't yet know how much the state will have to pay for its share of rebuilding, but he says he does not foresee a need to call the legislature back into session anytime soon to make any changes to the budget.

The governor spoke after the unveiling of a new state memorial flag for the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

The flag will be displayed at the memorial site in lower Manhattan as well as at the State Capitol.