The following press release was received by the Gazette and is reprinted here without editing or comment. We will provide space for press releases from all legitimate candidates for local public office.

Bramson Takes Credit for Tocci Initiative

Press Release

( October 26, 2002 )In an attempt to mislead voters of the 91st Assembly District, Democratic Candidate, Noam Bramson, takes credit for tax cuts authorized by the State Legislature and sponsored by Assemblyman Ron Tocci. Bramson clearly states in his mailer that he "...even cuts taxes for seniors, veterans and persons with disabilities." The legislation, cited on Bramson's mailer, was created as an option for any county, city and village as a result of Ron Tocci's work as a Member of the Assembly.

The tax cuts referred to on Bramson's mailer are the Veterans' Alternate Exemption, the Disability Tax Exemption, and the Senior Tax Exemption.

The Veteran's Tax Exemption was authorized by Assembly Bill (A.6265-A), which was co-sponsored by Ron Tocci. The Law makes Gold Star Parents eligible for Veterans' Alternative Exemption at the option of any County, City, Town and Village. Gold Star Parents are parents who lost a child while serving in the military. As Chairman of the Veteran's Committee, Tocci passed the bill into the Ways and Means Committee. Tocci guided the legislation through the process to become law, giving Bramson the opportunity to vote on it on the local level.

The Senior Tax Exemption (A.2741, Ch.202) increases the annual income eligibility cap that a local government could adopt for the fifty percent reduction. The legislation would increase the cap from 20,500 to 21,500 and for the minimum reduction from 28,900 to 29,900. This Real Property Tax Exemption is for seniors ages 65 and over. Assemblyman Tocci supported and voted in favor of this legislation.

The Disability Tax Exemption of 2000 (A.1279) grants persons receiving a disability pension from the United State Postal Service eligibility for the partial real property tax exemption for persons with disabilities and limited incomes. Assemblyman Tocci supported and voted in favor of this legislation.

The two bills that gave authorization for amendments to be made to New Rochelle Local Law are Assembly bills A.1279 and A.9431.

In commenting on the mailer, Ron Tocci said, "Bramson speaks in half truths and lies. It is unfortunate that he has to use my record in order to appeal to voters. He has consistently run away from his record as Councilman and has yet to provide effective solutions to the financial crises that he helped create in New Rochelle. I am confident that the voters will see right through Bramson's tactics."

Send this page to a friend

Discuss this topic in our forums, or send a letter to the editors.