Proposed Legislation Would Have Provided Exemptions to Widows and Widowers of Police Officers Killed in the Line of Duty
By Hank Russell
A bill introduced by Assemblyman Keith P. Brown (R,C-Northport) — which would have granted property tax exemptions on the primary residences of the widows and widowers of police officers killed in the line of duty — failed to make it out of committee.
Although the legislation enjoyed the support of 17 co-sponsors — including Joe DeStefano (R-Medford), Ed Flood (R-Port Jefferson), David G. McDonough (R-Bellmore), Michael Durso (R-Massapequa Park), Ari Brown (R-Cedarhurst) and Jarett Gandolfo (R-Bayport) — the Democrat-controlled Real Property Taxation Committee voted on May 14 not to advance the bill to the Assembly floor by a 6-4 vote.
“I am extremely disappointed that this commonsense proposal designed to support the spouses and loved ones of fallen police officers — fallen heroes — was voted down by the Assembly Majority,” said Brown. “Law enforcement officers throughout our great state risk their lives each and every day to keep New Yorkers safe.”
Brown said the bill stemmed from the death of Highway Patrolman Anastasio Tsakos — who, according to multiple news reports, was struck and killed by a drunk and drugged driver on the Long Island Expressway on April 2021 — and his meeting with Taskos’ widow Irene, whom he called “a remarkable woman.:
“When one of those brave men and women do not return home, the least we can do is help support their families in their absence,” Brown said. “It is tragic the [Democratic] Majority disagrees.”