Owning a home in New York was a lifelong dream, a symbol of hard work and stability. But in recent years, I've watched helplessly as my property taxes climb higher and higher for reasons beyond my control. Like many homeowners across our state, I didn’t vote for increased taxes. Instead, our tax burden quietly grows as our home values—set by assessors—go up on paper. My income hasn't kept pace with these escalating taxes, leaving me in financial stress and uncertainty.

Our homes should be sanctuaries of stability, not sources of ongoing financial anxiety. This isn't just my story—this is what so many New Yorkers face. We deserve better. Thankfully, there's a model for reform: Ohio.

In 2025, Ohio's legislature enacted bipartisan property tax reforms specifically aimed at protecting homeowners from automatic inflation-beating tax hikes without voter approval. These reforms prioritize owner-occupied homes and improve the transparency and fairness of tax assessments. Why can't New York do the same?

I urge the New York State Assembly to take immediate action in analyzing the Ohio model and implementing similar protections. These steps include limiting the rate at which property taxes can increase annually, ensuring that any significant increase must be approved by voters, and offering accommodations for homeowners whose incomes do not rise in proportion to their tax assessments.

It's time we place a safeguard on property tax increases that matches our values of fairness and transparency. If Ohio can protect their homeowners, so can New York. Join me in supporting this vital change by signing this petition. Let's bring stability and fairness back to homeownership in New York.