Make Tax Exemptions Earn Their Keep
Erie County has over $23 billion in tax-exempt property — roughly 17% of our total assessed value. That includes government buildings, schools, nonprofits, hospitals, and economic development projects. Some of those exemptions serve the public well. Others haven’t been seriously reviewed in years.
Meanwhile, the county collects just over $100,000 in Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOTs) on properties that would otherwise owe more than $4 million. Working families are covering the difference.
At the county level, I will:
- Push for annual public reporting on every IDA tax exemption — including whether job creation and investment commitments are being met
- Support clawback enforcement when projects don’t deliver on their promises
- Advocate for meaningful PILOT agreements that ensure exempt properties contribute fairly to the services they use — roads, water, sewer, public safety
- Call for sunset reviews on business tax exemptions so they don’t quietly roll forward without scrutiny
- Ensure the county never shifts costs onto homeowners to subsidize deals that primarily benefit large developers or institutions
Local impact: Property tax pressure on homeowners in Eden, Boston, and North Collins is made worse when exempt properties don’t contribute to the services they rely on. Residents across District 11 deserve to know that every dollar of tax relief granted is producing real public benefit.
When $23 billion in property pays little or nothing, the rest of us pay more. Every exemption should earn its keep.