A county government can only raise revenue directly from taxpayers in so many ways. One way is the sales tax, which has nose-dived amid the economic shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The other way? Collecting property taxes.
And some business association fears the property taxpayer — already burdened by some of the highest taxes in the country — could be on the hook for filling the yawning gaps created by the pandemic.
The Long Island Association on Monday released a letter to the state’s congressional delegation urging them to consider the New York City suburbs when piecing together the next federal relief package, which could include direct aid for state and local governments.
Long Island itself was hit hard by the pandemic with New York as a whole having the most cases and fatalities from COVID-19.
“We understand there are many competing concerns that require federal attention and support during this pandemic,” wrote Long Island Association President and CEO Kevin Law. “But if Congress does not include monies for municipalities like Nassau and Suffolk in the next coronavirus stimulus bill, the alternatives for our region will be dire, and will jeopardize our region’s economic recovery and the public health and safety of our nearly 3 million residents.”