Today, Congressman Nick LaLota (R-Suffolk County) led a press conference at the Suffolk County Legislature, addressing the dire need for State and Local Tax (SALT) relief and calling for immediate federal action to ease the crushing tax burden on Long Islanders. Joined by bipartisan state and local officials, real estate professionals, and Suffolk County residents, LaLota made the case for raising the SALT cap, arguing that New York’s excessive taxation and cost of living are driving families and businesses out of the state at an alarming rate.

“We New Yorkers need SALT relief because it’s so damn expensive to live here. New York State has the highest combined state income tax, property tax, and sales tax burden in the entire country. We are dead last, 50 out of 50. Our state government is spending at an astronomical rate, and hardworking Long Islanders are paying the price,” said LaLota. “We all know someone, probably several people, who have left Long Island. Our parents and grandparents, our kids, our neighbors, our local businesses. They’re packing up and leaving because they just can’t afford to stay. We Long Islanders aren’t looking for a handout. We just want our fair share. The federal government is robbing New York taxpayers to subsidize other states, and I won’t stand for it. While Governor Hochul and Albany Democrats need to reduce spending and lower taxes, I’m here to reaffirm my promise to fight for and deliver a higher SALT cap, because Long Islanders should be able to afford to stay in the communities they love.”

LaLota pointed to New York’s FY26 budget of $252 billion—more than double Florida’s $117 billion budget, despite Florida having a million more people—as evidence that out-of-control state spending is fueling the affordability crisis.

With critical negotiations underway in Congress and the White House, LaLota made clear that SALT relief is a top priority.

“I have strong allies in this fight, including President Trump, who promised to fix SALT on the campaign and reaffirmed that promise to me in person at Mar-a-Lago just weeks ago,” said LaLota. “I am proud to be part of a voting bloc alongside Reps. Andrew Garbarino, Mike Lawler, Tom Kean, and Young Kim, who have vowed to oppose our party’s tax bill if it does not include reasonable SALT relief.” 

LaLota was joined in the press conference by Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine; New York State Senator Mario Mattera and Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio; Suffolk County Legislators: Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey, Legislator Stephanie Bontempi, Legislator Steve Engelbright, Legislator Samuel Gonzales, Legislator Leslie Kennedy, Legislator Chad Lennon, Legislator Jim Mazzarella, Legislator Jason Richberg, Legislator Catherine Stark, Legislator Dominick Thorne, and Legislator Ann Welker; Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico, Smithtown Highway Superintendent Robert Murphy representing Supervisor Ed Wehrheim, and Smithtown Councilwoman Lynne Nowick. Representatives for Congressman Andrew Garbarino, Senator Anthony Palumbo, and Legislator Nick Caracappa also attended. 

The elected officials were joined by Marlo Paventi representing the Long Island Board of Realtors and Smithtown residents Judy Marlow-Ratway and Andrew Ratway.

“We stand firmly in support of measures that would incentivize homeownership. One of those proposals would be a substantial increase in the state and local tax (SALT) deduction limit. By alleviating some of the financial burdens on homebuyers, we can help make the dream of homeownership more attainable,” said Marlo Paventi, Senior Director of Public Policy & Government Affairs at the Long Island Board of REALTORS®.

Local residents Judy Marlow-Ratway and Andrew Ratway, personally affected by the SALT cap, shared their stories, highlighting the financial strain imposed by New York’s high tax burden and the limitations placed on their ability to deduct these expenses.

As negotiations in Washington continue, LaLota vowed to keep pushing for a solution that restores full SALT deductions for New York taxpayers.

“The message from Suffolk County is clear: it’s time for Washington to act and provide tax relief that New Yorkers deserve,” said LaLota.

Background:

Long Island’s Affordability Crisis: A Mass Exodus

New York’s high taxes are forcing families, retirees, and businesses to leave at record rates.

• New York leads the nation in outmigration, with more residents fleeing than any other state.
• Nearly 60% of those leaving New York cite affordability as the primary reason.
• Long Island families are increasingly relocating to states like Florida and the Carolinas, where their dollar stretches further.

Action in Washington to Raise the SALT Cap

With the 2017 Trump Tax Cuts and Jobs Act expiring at the end of the year, LaLota sees an opportunity to push for a higher cap on the SALT deduction while maintaining key provisions like:

• Fixing the Alternative Minimum Tax
• Keeping the higher standard deduction
• Maintaining lower individual tax rates

The Truth About SALT: Fighting for New York’s Fair Share

• Republican critics claim SALT relief subsidizes bloated state budgets.
• Democratic critics argue SALT relief is “welfare for the wealthy.”
• The reality? New Yorkers send far more to Washington than we get back.
• New York receives just $0.74 for every dollar sent to Washington
• Kentucky gets $1.89
• Arizona gets $1.71
• South Carolina gets $1.71