New York State passed a law to let disabled veterans skip property taxes, but the city hasn’t made it happen yet. A veteran in Buffalo might get the break while a neighbor in the Bronx keeps paying the full bill. This gap leaves hardworking folks who served our country stuck with a burden they shouldn’t have.
Council Member Frank Morano is trying to fix this with Intro 1051. The bill would wipe out 100% of property taxes for those permanently and totally disabled by their service. It’s a simple idea: if the state says they qualify, New York City should honor it everywhere, not just where officials feel like it.
A Patchwork System That Hurts Heroes
Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the enabling legislation on Dec. 19, 2025, but left the final call to local governments. That means the benefit depends on where you live. James Kenny, a fully disabled combat veteran in the Bronx, sees the problem clearly. He asked, “What’s the point of passing laws if they’re not going to be upheld, or in this case, only upheld where people see fit?”
Kenny argues that the law should apply equally across the state. “Disabled veterans should be exempt if that’s what it says in the law, everywhere in New York State, whether they live in New York City, the Bronx or up in Buffalo,” he said, according to amNewYork. Currently, the city only offers partial exemptions, leaving a financial hole for those who gave everything for the nation.
Morano’s Push for a Bipartisan Win
Morano isn’t waiting around. He has gathered a massive group of 26 council sponsors from both parties to back the move. “I can’t think of a better way to honor our veterans than by giving them something more meaningful than another proclamation,” Morano said, according to amNewYork. He wants the bill passed on Nov. 12, the day after the Veterans Day Parade.
The Council’s Veterans Committee held a hearing on Oct. 21, but the bill stalled. Morano insists that celebrating heroes on the street isn’t enough. He observed that paying tribute to veterans must go further than public festivities by guaranteeing they obtain care and support once they return from their service. With the parade set for Wednesday, Nov. 11, the timing is critical for getting this done.
What Needs to Happen Next
To get the exemption, veterans need proof from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs showing they are permanently and totally disabled due to military service. They also have to meet specific rules about their discharge status and owning their primary home. The city has been dragging its feet, but the pressure is mounting as the deadline approaches.
With 26 council sponsors forming a bipartisan majority, Morano has put the group together, and I am urging passage on Nov. 12, which follows Veterans Day. If the City Council votes yes, thousands of disabled veterans could finally see their tax bills vanish. It’s time to stop the games and do the right thing for those who served.
The City Council is scheduled to vote on Intro 1051 on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026. This is the make-or-break moment for disabled veterans across the five boroughs who are waiting for relief.
This is opinion and commentary from the RapForMayor team.
