State Senate Approves Governor's School Tax Cap

Governor Paterson got an assist from State Senate Republicans yesterday, when they approved his 4% cap on school taxes. The cap places, per the NY Times, "a mandatory limit on school property tax increases," which critics claims will hurt poor districts with their funding. The Times adds it's unlikely the bill will be passed by Assembly Democrats; State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R) said of the Dems, "I just think they’re out of touch with reality" and suggested they don't understand the "crushing burden of real-property taxes on people" who live in the suburbs.