The New York City Council is poised to accelerate the passage of a new law aimed at providing a significant property tax reduction for the spouses of police officers who have died in the line of duty. The proposed measure, which could offer up to a 50% tax break, faces potential opposition from Mayor Mamdani, known for his critical stance on law enforcement, according to insider information obtained by The Post.
This tax initiative, having received unanimous support from the state Legislature and Governor Kathy Hochul’s signature in December, empowers local authorities to enact the tax exemption. This would specifically benefit the widows and widowers of officers who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their communities.
Council Speaker Julie Menin expressed her eagerness to see the opt-in legislation crafted for New York City, with the aim of securing full Council endorsement. “Losing a first responder in the line of duty is an unthinkable hardship, and we owe it to their families to offer our support,” remarked the Manhattan Democrat.
Menin added, “We are introducing legislation on this crucial issue, and the Council will thoroughly assess this proposal to ensure we provide much-needed assistance to their immediate loved ones.”
The drafting of the legislation is underway, led by Council Majority Leader Shaun Abreu from Manhattan. Abreu emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating it “ensures we honor the families who have given everything for New York.”
The legislation is being drafted by Council Majority Leader Shaun Abreu (D-Manhattan), who said it “makes sure we stand by the families who sacrificed everything for New York.”
“When a first responder gives their life for this city, their family should never be left struggling,” he said. “We owe them more than sympathy.”
It’s 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’s the full 50%.
“These officers made the ultimate sacrifice for all us, so the least we can do is help ease the financial burden for their families,” the Staten Island Republican said.
“This property tax exemption for surviving spouses would provide a big impact at a relatively low cost.”
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 — who remains mum on the topic.
Some Council members fear Mamdani could try to kill the tax break or use it as leverage during negotiations with the Council over his proposed $127 billion city budget for next fiscal year.
“This had bipartisan support in Albany, and I expect it to have the same here in the Council,” said Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Queens).
“My 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’t hold my breath.”
“The widows of fallen police officers have already suffered enough, and this is the least we can do for them,” she said.
Mamdani is already in the midst of a bizarre budget dance with the Council—which even has many fellow lefties peeved—over his claim that he’ll have to raise property taxes by 9.5% unless Hochul raises income taxes for the wealthy.
His reps refused to respond to requests for comment on the tax-break plan.
The bill covers a few hundred surviving spouses of police officers in NYC, union leaders said.
Some towns on Long Island have already approved the benefit, including Huntington, where NYPD widow Lisa Tuozzolo lives.
Her husband Sgt. Paul Tuozzolo was shot and killed in Queens in 2016 while trying to apprehend an ex-con who was held his family at gunpoint. Â
The suspect, Manuel Rosales, was in his Jeep and fired a barrage of bullets when police boxed him in Van Nest, Bronx, striking Tuozzolo once in the head and again in the chest.
Rosales, who had a history of 17 arrests, was shot and killed by a hero new recruit. Tuozzolo, an 18-year-veteran who was planning to reitire, never got off a round.
“I honestly would rather pay my taxes in full and have my husband here,” said Tuozzolo, who has two sons, now 10 and 13. “Unfortunately, none of us would be in this position if those New York officials who wrote and supported this bill weren’t the same ones who wrote and supported bail reform.”
She’s thankful to local officials for approving the break, but had choice words for state legislators who also passed bail reform laws that have led to a revolving door of justice.
“If New York (state) officials really wanted to make a difference, they would repeal bail reform, so there won’t be future law enforcement deaths,” she said.
Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association President Lou Civello thanked the state bill’s sponsor Sen. Monica Martinez (D-Suffolk).
“It recognizes the sacrifice of the line of duty heroes,” Civello said. “Their families continue to sacrifice every single day.”
