Establishes a real property tax exemption for surviving spouses of police officers killed in the line of duty

• Republican23
• Democratic14

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Monica Martinez says this is needed

According to preliminary data compiled by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), as of June 30, 2023, 52 federal, state, and local law enforcement officers died in the line-of-duty during the first six months of the year. This is a decrease of approximately 66% from the 153 officers killed during the same period last year. However, as stated in the report even one death is too many due to the rippling effects of loss it has upon the officer's family. Beyond the emotional trauma, survivors of police officers killed in the line of duty often face financial difficulties due to a reduction in income. As noted by the national organization, Concerns of Police Survi- vors (C.O.P.S.), if the officer dies from a compensable injury, the surviving spouse and/or minor children are entitled to weekly cash bene- fits. This amount is equal to two-thirds of the deceased officer's aver- age weekly wage for the year before the accident. Survivors in New York State are faced with a cost-of- living index of 148.2, which according to World Population Review, is the second highest in the country. Hous- ing in New York is also the second most expensive in the United States, costing about 1.5 times the national average with the living wage fora family of four in New York being $110,255. For those families that now must rely on only two-thirds of the deceased officer's wages the strug- gle to remain financially stable is difficult. This bill would help alleviate some of this struggle by establishing a real property tax exemption for widows and widowers of police officers killed in the line of duty. The idea of property tax exemption is not without basis in the state as New York offers special benefits for service members, veterans and their families including property tax exemptions in specific cases. We owe the families who have lost a police officer who has made the ultimate sacrifice the financial support needed for a stable life h ere in New York.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.