Governor George Pataki, Senator Vincent Leibell, and Assemblyman Willis Stephens deserve credit for recognizing that our citizens need school property tax relief, and then providing it. We also applaud the fact that in the 1999-2000 school year all of our homeowners will see school tax relief. Throughout my years in government, school property taxes have been a primary concern of residents. Being a former educator myself, I recognize that Putnam County needs quality schools, but at an affordable cost. I also agree with many educational observers that believe that high expenditures do not correlate with high academic achievement.
County government continues to respond to taxpayer difficulties.
In addition, the County has provided additional protections to our most vulnerable citizens. Who Have Limited Incomes, and I thank you for your efforts. The year 1997 was an excellent year for Putnam County government. This rating was a primary reason that the County was able to conduct two very successful bond sales in recent months. We saved our taxpayers thousands of dollars because investors recognize the excellent quality of Putnam County debt.