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Council holds hearing to allow Gold Star parent tax exemption in Long Beach
Summary
The council held a public hearing on a local law to amend the city charter so Long Beach can opt into New York State tax exemptions for Gold Star parents; staff said the exemption would apply starting on the 2025–26 tax roll and councilors sought clarity about the state definition of "period of war."
Long Beach held a public hearing on a proposed local law to amend the city charter to allow the municipality to opt into New York State tax exemptions for Gold Star parents — those who lost a child in wartime.
City staff explained the state’s exemptions currently apply to veterans and spouses unless a municipality elects to extend the same exemption to Gold Star parents; the proposed local law would permit the city to adopt that option. Council members asked whether the state definition of periods of war includes recent conflicts; staff responded that existing state provisions include Afghanistan and Iraq and that eligible families and veterans would not be excluded. Staff said, if passed, the change would apply to the 2025–26 tax roll.
A councilor noted the item arose after a homeowner who already receives the county exemption inquired about city eligibility. The public hearing was closed and the council moved on to the regular calendar; the transcript does not record a final vote on the local law at this meeting.
