Nov 4, 2009 11:55 pm US/Eastern
The People Have Spoken: Lower Taxes Or You're Gone
Stunning Results In Westchester, Nassau & N.J. Show That People Are Fed Up With Being Asked To Shoulder Load
By ROB MORRISON, CBS 2 HD News
BETHPAGE, N.Y. (CBS) ―
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Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi (file)
CBS
When it came to the issue of property taxes at the polls on Tuesday, incumbents paid the price.
In the suburbs of New York City, two Democrats are out of their jobs while one is fighting for his political life.
In Westchester County, where property values have taken a hit, property taxes have not.
"It's a stress for people like me who don't make a ton but still have a family and a house to keep up," said Jaime Heiners of Mount Vernon.
A vote for change resulted in Republican challenger Rob Astorino unseating longtime incumbent County Executive Andy Spano.
"It's hurting a lot of homeowners and that's what we need, someone to help us out," said Angela Mercotto of Yonkers.
It wasn't just in Westchester where people voted for change. Property taxes seemed to be the one issue that struck a chord with voters throughout the area.
In the race for Nassau County Executive, the property tax issue prompted longtime Bethpage residents Barbara and Thomas Poggio to cross party lines and vote Republican. Apparently, many of their neighbors voted the same way. Incumbent Tom Suozzi and Republican challenger Ed Mangano are locked in an unexpected cliffhanger. The outcome will be decided by absentee ballots, which are currently being counted.
"This is no longer about Democrats and Republicans. It's problems that need to be solved and they are fiscal problems. I'm feeling the pinch. My husband's feeling the pinch. I'm sure our neighbors are feeling the pinch," Barbara Poggio said.
In New Jersey, where residents pay the highest property taxes in the country, the new governor-elect warned there would be no quick fix.
"Our property taxes, I have told everyone from the beginning, this isn't a silver bullet issue," Chris Christie said.
Silver bullet or not, the voters have spoken. Now they're waiting for results.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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