CALLS FOR ACTION

• Make it easer to build more housing
• Oppose a new 1-2% Transfer Tax in the City of Buffalo
• Say No to New Taxes or Surcharges on High Value Second Homes
  Contact your state lawmakers

Explanations:

• City of Buffalo - The State Legislature is currently considering imposing a new 1-2 percent transfer tax on all home sales in the city of Buffalo.  This would add $2,105 in closing costs for a median-priced home in Buffalo.  New York State already has some of the highest closing costs in the nation, and these proposed taxes would make the path to homeownership less affordable in a city that is trying to attract residents and families to buy a home and stay in Buffalo.  State lawmakers are considering this proposal as part of the state budget, which is due April 1st, so please reach out to your lawmaker ASAP.
   
• Build More Housing - Governor Hochul is proposing to expedite the housing construction process by reforming the State’s Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA). - This outdated law must be changed to address our state’s inventory shortage and housing affordability crisis. The Governor and State Legislature are currently negotiating the 2026-2027 state budget, and with housing inventory at record lows, now is the time to reduce barriers to new housing construction by reforming SEQRA.
   
• High Value Second Homes - Imposing a so-called “pied-a-terre” tax is short-sighted and does not take into account the significant revenue directed to localities and New York State, which expensive second homes generate by way of property taxes and other forms of real estate taxes, such as real estate transfer taxes, state “mansion taxes”, and mortgage recording taxes, Discouraging second home sales in New York will diminish revenue that New York State and localities rely on.