Politics on the Hudson

As Senate Republicans prepare to pass a school-property-tax cap today, they are also approving some other measures.

They voted in favor of taxing sales of cigarettes and gas on Indian reservations, something the state has yet to enforce and also passed an initiative and referendum measure that, like California and some other states, would allow voters to put items on the ballot.

“Initiative and referendum is an extremely powerful reform tool in politics as it gives the people the ability to make informed decisions to directly effect and change the powers and priorities of their government,” said Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos said.

Lawmakers are now offering their speeches on the need for mandate relief to help lower the local property-tax burden.