Syracuse's Common Councilors are raising taxes in the city in a way they say won’t be painful. Mayor Stephanie Miner’s proposed budget didn’t include any tax hikes, but the one the Common Council passed Wednesday does. The tax increase they are instituting is ultimately a wash because of a new state program that reimburses taxpayers for any tax increases they pay this year. Lawmakers agreed to raise taxes 1.5 percent, an average of $12 per homeowner, in the 2014-2015 budget. Finance Committee Chairwoman Kathleen Joy says this was a good chance to add revenue in a way that ultimately won’t hurt taxpayers because they’ll be reimbursed as part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s new tax cap program. "Remember, we’re $20 million in the hole," Joy said. "So by having a modest increase that’s really being reimbursed by the state, we’ll be able to raise some revenues and take advantage of the state program.” Taxpayers will get a check this fall from the state for $30 as part of the tax cap program. Next
↧