We all know the story -- chapter and verse -- very well by now. In fact, New York Governor David Paterson himself made the point again just the other day: New Yorkers struggle with the highest local taxes in the nation, 78 percent above the national average. These taxes are growing at twice the rate of inflation and workers' salaries.In plain English, New York's local taxes are growing faster than our ability to pay them.So renewing a commitment to ongoing local property tax relief should be a high priority in New York government, right?Unfortunately, that wasn't the case this year. Just the opposite, in fact. That's right. Governor Paterson and the state Legislature's Democratic majorities voted to eliminate New York's STAR property tax rebate program from the 2009-2010 state budget.Over the past two years, families, seniors, and all homeowners have counted on these rebates to provide a little relief from today’s high costs and New York’s crushing property tax burden. It has meant an extra $450 a year to the average homeowner in Chemung County, in Steuben County, in Tompkins County.But Governor Paterson and legislative leaders didn't think this relief was important enough to include in this year's budget. That's wrong.Many of my colleagues and I tried to amend this year's budget and provide the following, projected rebates in 2009 to area homeowners: Chemung County ($453 Basic STAR rebate, $426 Enhanced/Senior STAR rebate); Schuyler ($393 Basic, $385 Enhanced); Steuben ($439 Basic, $414 Enhanced); Tompkins ($440 Basic, $412, Enhanced); and Yates ($310 Basic, $302 Enhanced).But our amendment was defeated, again, by the Legislature's Democratic majorities.Eliminating the STAR rebate program works against efforts to stimulate economic growth and arrives at the worst possible economic time for local taxpayers. Governor David Paterson and legislative leaders have often talked about the need to rebuild upstate New York. In his State of the State message earlier this year, for example, Governor Paterson said, "I have talked for decades about the crumbling upstate economy, the crush of property taxes and the lack of affordable housing. These are issues that we will continue to focus on and address, but we can do more."We sure can do more, but words need to be accompanied by actions.The way to begin is through upstate tax relief and that means, most of all, property tax relief. We can start by restoring the STAR Rebate program.