Local Groups Band Together for 'Fair and Open' Tax Act

NEW YORK CITY-Taxpayers for an Affordable New York are calling on the City Charter Revision Commission to incorporate the measures contained in the Fair and Open Tax Act in its work. The act allows for public participation in any future decision to increase the city’s property tax rates requiring public hearings in each of the boroughs prior to passing an increase. The city also would be required to give sufficient notice of the hearings to the public.

TANY is comprised of 78 neighborhood organizations representing several hundred thousand people in the five boroughs. Citywide real estate trade organizations, homeowner and block associations, merchants groups and civic organizations all come together under the TANY banner.

“People were not happy that they didn’t have say in the process,” says Steve Spinola, president of the Real Estate Board of New York, a member of TANY. “The public should have a voice in decisions that affect them. The Fair and Open Tax Act ensures that people who pay taxes will have a chance to express their opinions before a measure is passed. This is not a vote against tax increases, but instead, is a vote in favor of traditional democracy and proper representation for the people.”