SYRACUSE -- Syracuse Common Councilors have approved a property tax increase but Syracuse mayor Stephanie Miner says she will veto it as soon as it makes it to her desk.
Monday afternoon, the Common Council voted 5 to 4 to pass a measure to increase property taxes by $2.4 million. The increase works out to about $30-$50 per household. Councilors want the money to go towards helping the Syracuse City School District.
Syracuse schools Superintendent Dan Lowengard says the tax increase could save 30-50 jobs in the district. The district plans to lay off 350 people, and he says this extra money could help a lot.
"It's important to the kids," Lowengard says. "It would slow down the idea of more kids in a classroom. It would add back support."
Councilor Lance Denno voted in favor of the proposal.
"We are in a situation that cries out for standing up for our children," he says.
Councilor Ryan McMahon voted against the proposal.
"We may give schools a little bit more money here, but we may have just forced 200 seniors out of their homes," says McMahon. "You're just robbing Peter to pay Paul."
Mayor Stephanie Miner's office says she will veto the increase. It would take a vote of 6 to 3 to override a veto.
Parents in Syracuse are reacting to the latest squabble over funding the city school system.
Vito Saccone says "Education is more important for kids now a days," said Vito Saccone. "I was hoping everyone could get their story straight and decide what they were going to do."
"I wish they would have gave the money because maybe the teachers would have been able to stay," said Tesa Mulkey. "Kids are dropping out of school now because teachers are just not caring that much anymore and it's ridiculous."
