The NYC Council is planning to fast-track legislation that would give spouses of fallen police officers a property tax break of up to 50% \u2014 although some members fear longtime-cop-adversary Mayor Mamdani might try to block it, The Post has learned.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The tax bill \u2014 which was unanimously approved by the state Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul in December \u2014 gives local governments the ability to opt in so that widows and widowers of cops killed in the line of duty can benefit from the exemption.<\/p>\n
Council Speaker Julie Menin told The Post she looks forward to the opt-in legislation being drafted for NYC and ultimately going before the full Council for approval.<\/p>\n
Widow Lisa Tuozzolo lost her husband, NYPD Sgt. Paul Tuozzolo, in the line of duty nearly 10 years ago. Dennis A. Clark<\/p>\n
\u201cThe loss of a first responder in the line of duty is an unimaginable tragedy, and we have a responsibility to support their families,\u201d the Manhattan Democrat said.<\/p>\n
\u201cLegislation will be introduced on this important matter, and the Council will evaluate this proposal to bring support to their immediate loved ones.\u201d<\/p>\n
The legislation is being drafted by Council Majority Leader Shaun Abreu (D-Manhattan), who said it \u201cmakes sure we stand by the families who sacrificed everything for New York.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen a first responder gives their life for this city, their family should never be left struggling,\u201d he said. \u201cWe owe them more than sympathy.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s unclear how much of a break the Council bill will offer police widows and widowers, but Council Minority Leader David Carr said he hopes it\u2019s the full 50%.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese officers made the ultimate sacrifice for all us, so the least we can do is help ease the financial burden for their families,\u201d the Staten Island Republican said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis property tax exemption for surviving spouses would provide a big impact at a relatively low cost.\u201d<\/p>\n
The widows property tax bill has to be cleared by municipalities, including New York City. Gregory P. Mango for NY Post<\/p>\n
The bill appears to have enough support to sail through the Council, sources said, but it will need backing from at least 34 of 51 members to override a veto from Mamdani \u2014 who remains mum on the topic.<\/p>\n
Some Council members fear Mamdani could try to kill the tax break\u00a0or use it as leverage during negotiations with the Council over his proposed $127 billion city budget for next fiscal year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis had bipartisan support in Albany, and I expect it to have the same here in the Council,\u201d said Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Queens).<\/p>\n
Widow Lisa Tuozzolo said she\u2019d rather have her husband back than a property tax. New York Post<\/p>\n
\u201cMy only concern is that the mayor may try and hold it hostage for his budget negotiations. I hope he is above using these families as yet another scare tactic in his budget war, but sadly I won\u2019t hold my breath.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe widows of fallen police officers have already suffered enough, and this is the least we can do for them,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Mamdani is already in the midst of a bizarre budget dance with the Council\u2014which even has many fellow lefties peeved\u2014over his claim that he\u2019ll have to raise property taxes by 9.5% unless Hochul raises income taxes for the wealthy.<\/p>\n
His reps refused to respond to requests for comment on the tax-break plan.<\/p>\n
The bill covers a few hundred surviving spouses of police officers in NYC, union leaders said. <\/strong><\/p>\n The legislation provides police widows and widowers an up to 50% off property taxes at primary residences.<\/p>\n Some towns on Long Island have already approved the benefit, including Huntington, where NYPD widow Lisa Tuozzolo lives.<\/p>\n