Press Releases

September 25, 2008

STAUDENRAUS TROUNCES ALESSI IN NEWS-12 DEBATE
Republican Challenger - with Record of Reform & Results - Pledges Tax Relief Now Through BiPartisan Tax Cap

Suffolk County: Property taxes dominated News 12 debate between Jim Staudenraus, the Republican/Conservative candidate for the Assembly’s First District, and Democrat incumbent Marc Alessi. The debate revealed stark contrasts between the candidates and  nowhere was this more evident than on the topic of property tax reform.

Marc Alessi refused to address the root cause of skyrocketing real property taxes, while he’s had two years to address this issue. During the debate, Alessi proposed a complicated plan that would give only limited relief to some homeowners, while stripping other families their STAR rebates.

“I’m fighting to Cap your property taxes, and he’s letting taxes skyrocket out of control,” Jim Staudenraus stated on News 12. “I have a plan to improve the economy, improve job security, and lower high-energy prices.”

“During our debate, we heard Marc Alessi say that only someNew Yorker homeowners should get somerelief under somecircumstances. I support the real bipartisan Property Tax Cap - the one passed by the State Senate and endorsed by Governor Patterson. It is the only plan that will require school districts to live within their means, and it is the only plan that will give broad tax relief to every homeowner.” stressed Jim Staudenraus,.

Jim Staudenraus, a small business owner with twenty years of corporate experience understands that New York can’t afford to remain a “Tax Hell” as MONEY magazine has described our state. “We are paying the highest taxes in the nation. We can’t afford to continue business as usual while Candidate Alessi allows our hard earned money to go into New York City.  We need our fair share.  It’s that simple.  We aren’t asking for a lot just our Fair Share.” observed Jim Staudenraus, “We need real tax relief now and I have the plan to provide such relief.”

“Mark Alessi hasn’t done anything to help the hardworking taxpayers of the First District. While we can wear a sweater and lower the thermostat to save money; we can drive less to save money at the pump; Marc Alessi won’t let us pay one penny less in property taxes; and our LIPA bills have not gone down,” Jim Staudenraus added.

The NEWS-12 Assembly District 1 debate will air on Monday, 6 October, 2008 at 4:00PM and again that same date at 11:30PM.