For Immediate Release

Contact: Tammy Sun

tammy@letitshineinc.com
917.992.6901

SEAN COFFEY: I’M PROUD TO BE ONLY AG

CANDIDATE WHO STANDS WITH HOMEOWNERS
& SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS IN SUPPORT OF
PROPERTY TAX CAP
Democratic AG contender Sean Coffey addresses
Manlius Chamber of Commerce in Syracuse; Says
property tax cap critical step in bringing economic
relief to families & business of Upstate New York
(August 18, 2010) Syracuse, NY – Democratic Attorney General candidate
Sean Coffey (www.coffey2010.com) told Syracuse small business
owners on Wednesday that he was proud to be the only AG
contender to advocate for a property tax cap as a way to bring much
needed economic relief to the region. Skyrocketing property taxes have
stripped the economy of jobs and put additional strain on working class
families and retirees on fixed income as they struggle to make ends meet
amidst the toughest economy in decades.

Coffey has endorsed Andrew Cuomo’s proposal that any increase in property
taxes be capped at 2%. New York State already has the highest local
taxes in America – 79% above the national average. And when
property taxes are measured as a percentage of home value, Upstate New
York is particularly hard hit with sixteen counties among the twenty-
five most taxed counties in the nation. If the comparison is in absolute
dollars, the amount of property taxes for an average household in
Westchester, Nassau and Rockland counties are among the five highest in
the nation (1st, 3rd & 5th).

Sean Coffey is the only candidate to use the bully pulpit of his campaign to
drive the political debate in favor of a property tax cap. State Sen. Eric
Schneiderman recently voted against a proposed law to cap property
taxes at 4% per year in growth or 120% of the inflation rate. He was
one of only seven senators to do so – against an overwhelming
bipartisan majority. Coffey has called on the Assembly to pass the bill –
and Assemblyman Richard Brodsky to vote in favor. Other candidates have
failed to make any strong public statements regarding the cap.

“For long too, Albany politicians have let property taxes spiral out of control.
The time has come to enact a real cap that will protect New York residents
from this unfair crushing financial burden,” Coffey said. “Those who seek
elected office have a powerful bully pulpit – and I intend to continue using
mine to help create a new culture in Albany that is accountable and
responsive to the voters’ concerns. First and foremost, New Yorkers need a
property tax cap.”

Coffey continued, “I am the only candidate for Attorney General who

stands shoulder-to-shoulder with New York homeowners and small business
owners on this critical issue. Finding innovative new ways to control the cost
of living in New York would be among my top priorities as the next Attorney
General.”

Coffey believes that there is ample opportunity to reduce the cost of

government – and thus leave tax increases as a final alternative – by
empowering the Attorney General to pursue public corruption in
Albany without fear or favor. He is the only candidate to offer ideas
to eliminate what he calls the ‘public corruption tax’ – the additional
taxes New Yorkers pay for back room deals and wasteful spending
promoted by a dysfunctional and often corrupt state government.

For more information about Sean Coffey’s Reform Agenda, go to:

www.coffey2010.com

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