June 05, 2008
Amending the Triborough Amendment
While its bold plan for a cap on school property taxes earned it headlines this week, the Suozzi Commission deserves to be recognized as the first gubernatorial commission to propose amending the Taylor Law since the Triborough Amendment was enacted in 1982.
The state Commission on Property Tax Relief, chaired by Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi, calls for eliminating a provision that allows teachers to continue to receive "step" or longevity raises when their union's contract has expired.
Speakers testified to the Commission that the Triborough Amendment is a major force driving increases in teacher salaries and has "tilted the bargaining table" in favor of teachers' unions. It is very difficult to estimate the financial impact of Triborough on school district expenses. However...personnel costs are a major component of school district costs, and have been increasing at a rate above inflation for a number of years.
For a discussion of the background and impact of the Triborough Amendment, see the Empire Center's Taylor Made report.
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