Suozzi Proposes $2.1 Billion In Property Tax Cuts, Mostly In NYC Suburbs

Tom Suozzi, running against Eliot Spitzer for the Democratic nomination for governor, said he would take more than 40% of the money he says the state would save by his previously announced $5 billion "Taxpayer Savings Plan" and put it toward property tax relief.

The Nassau County Executive anounced details of the property tax relief plan today.

The lion's share of tax relief would be in the highest-taxed areas of the state - Long Island and the suburbs north of New York City.

Taxpayers would only receive the tax breaks if their school districts implement a five-year spending plan with an average budget increase of no more than 5% per year and no more than 8% in any given year during that period.

PRO-CHOICE GROUP RAISES CONCERNS ABOUT SUOZZI

The other day we told you about a Capitol Confidential report saying Suozzi intends to bypass the state Democratic Party convention and petition his way onto the ballot. He said at the time he would hold a "people's convention" with Buffalo Mayor James Griffin. That has the folks at NARAL Pro-Choice New York rather unhappy with Suozzi, since Griffin is decidedly not pro-choice. The pro-choice group's president Kelli Conlin sent Suozzi a letter today demanding he renounce his support for Griffin and clarify his own stance on abortion.


PUBLIC SERVICE EMPLOYEES SAID TO ENDORSE GILLIBRAND IN NY's 20'th

Capitol Confidential is also reporting today that Kirsten Gillibrand, the Democratic challenger to Rep. John Sweeney in New York's 20th Congressional District is about to pick up a big endorsement. The Albany Times-Union's political blog reports Service Employees International Union/Local 1199 will endorse the first-time candidate tomorrow.

SEN. LIEBERMAN HAS THE JO-MENTUM, NEW QUINNIPIAC POLL SAYS

Quinnipiac University released a new poll on Connecticut politics today. The news is good for incumbent Democratic Senator Joe Lieberman, despite all the hype lately about his Democratic challenger Ned Lamont.

The poll shows Lieberman's approval rating in the state at 59%, which is down from 63% three months ago. But Lamont "favorable" rating is at 3%, with a full 90% of Connecticut voters saying they haven't heard much about Lamont.

Connecticut Democrats say they would vote by 65% to 19% margin for Lieberman over Lamont. Since February, Lamont has picked up six percentage points while Lieberman has lost 3 points.

When Lamont supporters are asked about the motivation for their vote, 77% said they would be voting against Lieberman rather than for Lamont.

Lieberman also is far out in front in a three-way race in which he would be an independent candidate.