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Gertyrae
Peace out Homies!
Member since 5/05 20046 total posts
Name:
Gerty ®
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Patterson eliminating STAR Rebate Checks...
According to Patterson's proposal, there will no longer be any STAR Rebate checks...if you are signed up for or apply for STAR, you will still get the reduced school tax rate - just no rebate check in October.
Apparently, the rebates cost the state $1.4 billion
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Posted 12/17/08 8:43 AM  |
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VickiC
Rocking the party
Member since 5/05 4937 total posts
Name:
Vicki
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Re: Patterson eliminating STAR Rebate Checks...
To be honest, I never understood why they sent out the checks anyway. I'd rather have that off my taxes to begin with and pay less every month.
He's gotta do what he's gotta do though and if eliminating that STAR check won't make my taxes go up more, then I'll get behind that.
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| Posted 12/17/08 8:47 AM |
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shiv
Twinsanity!!
Member since 5/07 4747 total posts
Name:
Shiv
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Re: Patterson eliminating STAR Rebate Checks...
so basic star would still be in effect? It's only the middle-class star rebate that will be eliminated?
I thought all star was being eliminated?
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| Posted 12/17/08 10:03 AM |
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Ophelia
she's baaccckkkk ;)
Member since 5/06 23378 total posts
Name:
remember, when Gulliver traveled....
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Re: Patterson eliminating STAR Rebate Checks...
nothing that survived the axe.
it sucks b/c we haven't even owned our home long enough to see a check...but it was "free" money...like our IRS refund...can't always believe it will be there. 
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| Posted 12/17/08 10:05 AM |
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HoneyBadger
YourWorstNightmare.
Member since 10/06 15979 total posts
Name:
BahBahBlackJeep
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Re: Patterson eliminating STAR Rebate Checks...
Posted by VickiC
To be honest, I never understood why they sent out the checks anyway. I'd rather have that off my taxes to begin with and pay less every month.
He's gotta do what he's gotta do though and if eliminating that STAR check won't make my taxes go up more, then I'll get behind that.
But that's the thing, I was listening to the radio this morning and cutting out the star rebate program will NOT help in keeping our taxes down.
They said our school taxes will still go up. So my attitude is at least throw us a bone since our taxes are going to go up anyway.
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| Posted 12/17/08 10:09 AM |
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Ophelia
she's baaccckkkk ;)
Member since 5/06 23378 total posts
Name:
remember, when Gulliver traveled....
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Re: Patterson eliminating STAR Rebate Checks...
Posted by Jennie0898
But that's the thing, I was listening to the radio this morning and cutting out the star rebate program will NOT help in keeping our taxes down.
They said our school taxes will still go up. So my attitude is at least throw us a bone since our taxes are going to go up anyway.
you have to keep in mind though, that Patterson eliminated them for the entire STATE...you guys need to speak to YOUR town representatives about your school taxes going up.
one of the reasons we bought where we did is b/c our SD and town is known for fighting to keep taxes low, while still providing quality education. that is a very local thing.
We will all feel this pinch...I wish everyone well. 
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| Posted 12/17/08 10:30 AM |
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CookiePuss
Cake from Outer Space!
Member since 5/05 14021 total posts
Name:
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Re: Patterson eliminating STAR Rebate Checks...
Posted by Jennie0898
Posted by VickiC
To be honest, I never understood why they sent out the checks anyway. I'd rather have that off my taxes to begin with and pay less every month.
He's gotta do what he's gotta do though and if eliminating that STAR check won't make my taxes go up more, then I'll get behind that.
But that's the thing, I was listening to the radio this morning and cutting out the star rebate program will NOT help in keeping our taxes down.
They said our school taxes will still go up. So my attitude is at least throw us a bone since our taxes are going to go up anyway.
Talk to your representatives about getting a fairer cut of the NYS education budget. The numbers are old but I was told that downstate contributes 20-25% of the $$$ for the NYS Education System but only receives about 5% back. This is one of the reasons taxes are so high downstate.
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| Posted 12/17/08 10:34 AM |
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hazeleyes33
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 13060 total posts
Name:
Ginger
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Re: Patterson eliminating STAR Rebate Checks...
I just got my new bill and it has gone up over $300 for the year.
I would like to have that check as they didn't lower my bill and it helped :(
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| Posted 12/17/08 1:40 PM |
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kspags
LIF Adult
Member since 6/08 1228 total posts
Name:
Kelly
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Re: Patterson eliminating STAR Rebate Checks...
Posted by Ophelia
nothing that survived the axe.
it sucks b/c we haven't even owned our home long enough to see a check...but it was "free" money...like our IRS refund...can't always believe it will be there.
I know I was just about to apply for it! I still will b/c nothing is set in stone...
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| Posted 12/17/08 1:49 PM |
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HoneyBadger
YourWorstNightmare.
Member since 10/06 15979 total posts
Name:
BahBahBlackJeep
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Re: Patterson eliminating STAR Rebate Checks...
Posted by shamrock124
Talk to your representatives about getting a fairer cut of the NYS education budget. The numbers are old but I was told that downstate contributes 20-25% of the $$$ for the NYS Education System but only receives about 5% back. This is one of the reasons taxes are so high downstate.
I think it's easy to say "talk to your representative"...Have you ever tried doing this? I think it's pretty clear that everyone who lives in LI (or at least a good portion of residents) feel their taxes are WAY too high. This sentiment has been going on for YEARS yet our taxes continue to go up.
Where are our representatives? Are they listening? I don't think so.
It's very true, we do contribute much more than we get in return on LI. Unfortunately it has been this way for a LONG time and it seems as much as we protest nothing is done about it.
The district I grew up in (West Islip) actually held a rally and went up to Albany when I was in Jr. High, as far as I know, WI's taxes are STILL through the roof.
It's really unfortunate that the perception outside of LI is that we're all rich and don't need the aid.
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| Posted 12/17/08 2:05 PM |
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CookiePuss
Cake from Outer Space!
Member since 5/05 14021 total posts
Name:
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Re: Patterson eliminating STAR Rebate Checks...
Posted by Jennie0898
I think it's easy to say "talk to your representative"...Have you ever tried doing this? I think it's pretty clear that everyone who lives in LI (or at least a good portion of residents) feel their taxes are WAY too high. This sentiment has been going on for YEARS yet our taxes continue to go up.
Where are our representatives? Are they listening? I don't think so.
Oh, I completely agree but that is the first step. I think more people, myself included, need to really get in to the school budgets and how they are put together. I don't get some things about it and need to understand why some things are the way they are.
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| Posted 12/17/08 2:09 PM |
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isabelle2137
LIF Adult
Member since 12/06 1076 total posts
Name:
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Re: Patterson eliminating STAR Rebate Checks...
Posted by shamrock124
Posted by Jennie0898
I think it's easy to say "talk to your representative"...Have you ever tried doing this? I think it's pretty clear that everyone who lives in LI (or at least a good portion of residents) feel their taxes are WAY too high. This sentiment has been going on for YEARS yet our taxes continue to go up.
Where are our representatives? Are they listening? I don't think so.
Oh, I completely agree but that is the first step. I think more people, myself included, need to really get in to the school budgets and how they are put together. I don't get some things about it and need to understand why some things are the way they are.
As a new homeowner, I cannot stress enough how important it is to really take a look at your school budget. This is the driving number in my tax bill. The things that go on are not to be believed. I have posted enough about my disappointment with my school district and their money managing, but everyone in every district should be looking at this.
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| Posted 12/17/08 2:19 PM |
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HoneyBadger
YourWorstNightmare.
Member since 10/06 15979 total posts
Name:
BahBahBlackJeep
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Re: Patterson eliminating STAR Rebate Checks...
Posted by isabelle2137
Posted by shamrock124
Posted by Jennie0898
I think it's easy to say "talk to your representative"...Have you ever tried doing this? I think it's pretty clear that everyone who lives in LI (or at least a good portion of residents) feel their taxes are WAY too high. This sentiment has been going on for YEARS yet our taxes continue to go up.
Where are our representatives? Are they listening? I don't think so.
Oh, I completely agree but that is the first step. I think more people, myself included, need to really get in to the school budgets and how they are put together. I don't get some things about it and need to understand why some things are the way they are.
As a new homeowner, I cannot stress enough how important it is to really take a look at your school budget. This is the driving number in my tax bill. The things that go on are not to be believed. I have posted enough about my disappointment with my school district and their money managing, but everyone in every district should be looking at this.
Yeah but here's the major rub for me. The part of the budget that we actually vote on is such a SMALL percent of the ENTIRE budget. The main part of the budget is salary and that is negotiated by the teacher's union. We have NO say over that part.
FTR I am VERY "pro-teacher, pro-education" but the bottom line is this, (IMO) school districts in LI are not run by business people, they're run by former teachers who are now in administration positions. These people have had NO EXPERIENCE in running ANY kind of business and now they have a multi-million dollar business in their hands. How could they possibly, fully, understand or know what to do and to make matters worse, they playing with OUR tax dollars. I truly believe if our schools were run by business people who had experience balancing budgets and woking within budgets, maybe we would stand a chance at our taxes being more reasonable.
I really feel there needs to be some serious reform and that's where it needs to start.
IMO of course.
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| Posted 12/17/08 4:41 PM |
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isabelle2137
LIF Adult
Member since 12/06 1076 total posts
Name:
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Re: Patterson eliminating STAR Rebate Checks...
Posted by Jennie0898
Posted by isabelle2137
Posted by shamrock124
Posted by Jennie0898
I think it's easy to say "talk to your representative"...Have you ever tried doing this? I think it's pretty clear that everyone who lives in LI (or at least a good portion of residents) feel their taxes are WAY too high. This sentiment has been going on for YEARS yet our taxes continue to go up.
Where are our representatives? Are they listening? I don't think so.
Oh, I completely agree but that is the first step. I think more people, myself included, need to really get in to the school budgets and how they are put together. I don't get some things about it and need to understand why some things are the way they are.
As a new homeowner, I cannot stress enough how important it is to really take a look at your school budget. This is the driving number in my tax bill. The things that go on are not to be believed. I have posted enough about my disappointment with my school district and their money managing, but everyone in every district should be looking at this.
Yeah but here's the major rub for me. The part of the budget that we actually vote on is such a SMALL percent of the ENTIRE budget. The main part of the budget is salary and that is negotiated by the teacher's union. We have NO say over that part.
FTR I am VERY "pro-teacher, pro-education" but the bottom line is this, (IMO) school districts in LI are not run by business people, they're run by former teachers who are now in administration positions. These people have had NO EXPERIENCE in running ANY kind of business and now they have a multi-million dollar business in their hands. How could they possibly, fully, understand or know what to do and to make matters worse, they playing with OUR tax dollars. I truly believe if our schools were run by business people who had experience balancing budgets and woking within budgets, maybe we would stand a chance at our taxes being more reasonable.
I really feel there needs to be some serious reform and that's where it needs to start.
IMO of course.
for the most part, this is very true. The woman who is in charge of spending our multi million dollar budget is a former school principal who couldn't handle the stress of the job anymore. She kissed butt to the Board and voila! Financial manager.
Of course, less than two years later, my district had to shell out additional money for a "real" money manager to come in and help her learn to do her job
***
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| Posted 12/17/08 4:50 PM |
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MrsD06
LIF Toddler
Member since 9/07 478 total posts
Name:
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Re: Patterson eliminating STAR Rebate Checks...
Posted by shamrock124
Posted by Jennie0898
Posted by VickiC
To be honest, I never understood why they sent out the checks anyway. I'd rather have that off my taxes to begin with and pay less every month.
He's gotta do what he's gotta do though and if eliminating that STAR check won't make my taxes go up more, then I'll get behind that.
But that's the thing, I was listening to the radio this morning and cutting out the star rebate program will NOT help in keeping our taxes down.
They said our school taxes will still go up. So my attitude is at least throw us a bone since our taxes are going to go up anyway.
Talk to your representatives about getting a fairer cut of the NYS education budget. The numbers are old but I was told that downstate contributes 20-25% of the $$$ for the NYS Education System but only receives about 5% back. This is one of the reasons taxes are so high downstate.
Can anyone point me to further information on these numbers? I've heard it myself, but would like to see the breakdown for the entire state. I was really surprised to learn that the area I'm from upstate has some of the highest taxes in the state. They are almost as high as the taxes here, but the houses are not worth nearly as much.
Message edited 12/17/2008 7:12:07 PM.
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| Posted 12/17/08 7:11 PM |
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Erica
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 11767 total posts
Name:
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Re: Patterson eliminating STAR Rebate Checks...
my taxes went up almost $1000 this year!!!! less than $300 from the SD.
Posted by Jennie0898
FTR I am VERY "pro-teacher, pro-education" but the bottom line is this, (IMO) school districts in LI are not run by business people, they're run by former teachers who are now in administration positions. These people have had NO EXPERIENCE in running ANY kind of business and now they have a multi-million dollar business in their hands. How could they possibly, fully, understand or know what to do and to make matters worse, they playing with OUR tax dollars. I truly believe if our schools were run by business people who had experience balancing budgets and woking within budgets, maybe we would stand a chance at our taxes being more reasonable.
I really feel there needs to be some serious reform and that's where it needs to start.
IMO of course.
I agree there \has to be reform...but in order to be a district administrator you need to get an advanced degree/certification - similar to an MBA. and it is a different certification to be a building administrator. I think it's pretty unfair to throw all administration under the bus like that. I agree there needs to be reform, but it's not just a teacher who decides they want to be superintendent.
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| Posted 12/17/08 11:20 PM |
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HoneyBadger
YourWorstNightmare.
Member since 10/06 15979 total posts
Name:
BahBahBlackJeep
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Re: Patterson eliminating STAR Rebate Checks...
Posted by Erica
I agree there \has to be reform...but in order to be a district administrator you need to get an advanced degree/certification - similar to an MBA. and it is a different certification to be a building administrator. I think it's pretty unfair to throw all administration under the bus like that. I agree there needs to be reform, but it's not just a teacher who decides they want to be superintendent.
My point was that most of the people in administration have spent their time teaching. Just because they go to school and get their advanced degree doesn't make them an expert.
To me it's like giving the position of CFO (of a multi million dollar company) to a recent college grad. It wouldn't happen b/c they have no practical experience.
I'm not trying to throw administration under the bus b/c hey, everyone is entitled to better themselves but I just think having someone who was a teacher for 20 years now be the school's superintendent is not the best idea. Clearly it's not working, our taxes keep going up but what I see us getting in return for it is not worth it.
I don't know if you're a teacher but my sister is and when she taught down here she used to bring in so many personal things to help with teaching her lessons or better her classroom. Now, yes, she taught in catholic school so there was less money to be had but I have friends who are teachers now and they teach in public school and they say it's the same for them.
So you (and I mean this as a general you, not you the poster I'm quoting) tell me, where's the money going??
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| Posted 12/18/08 12:19 PM |
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MegZee
My bunny
Member since 5/06 8777 total posts
Name:
Meaghan
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Re: Patterson eliminating STAR Rebate Checks...
I would love to know where the $$ is going - but I don't think its the running of an individual district as an administrator, but how our SDs are structured.
Its not the one admin, its the ridiculous number of admins we have.
consolidating SDs is the answer, but it will never happen
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| Posted 12/18/08 1:32 PM |
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MST9106
My life:)
Member since 6/06 9589 total posts
Name:
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Re: Patterson eliminating STAR Rebate Checks...
I don't know if you guys heard this but apparently there was a deal reached last night between the State and City Council that would reinstate the STAR $400 rebate checks.
STAR Rebates
Message edited 12/18/2008 1:59:38 PM.
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| Posted 12/18/08 1:57 PM |
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isabelle2137
LIF Adult
Member since 12/06 1076 total posts
Name:
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Re: Patterson eliminating STAR Rebate Checks...
Posted by Meaghan729
I would love to know where the $$ is going - but I don't think its the running of an individual district as an administrator, but how our SDs are structured.
Its not the one admin, its the ridiculous number of admins we have.
consolidating SDs is the answer, but it will never happen
One can hope.....
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| Posted 12/18/08 3:48 PM |
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ave1024
I Took The Wrong Road
Member since 12/07 6153 total posts
Name:
That Led To The Wrong Tendencies
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Re: Patterson eliminating STAR Rebate Checks...
Patterson is a dead man walking.
He knows he has no chance in hell getting re-elected so he might as well just rule with an iron fist and make a name for himself.
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| Posted 12/18/08 3:53 PM |
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Erica
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 11767 total posts
Name:
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Re: Patterson eliminating STAR Rebate Checks...
Posted by Jennie0898
My point was that most of the people in administration have spent their time teaching. Just because they go to school and get their advanced degree doesn't make them an expert.
To me it's like giving the position of CFO (of a multi million dollar company) to a recent college grad. It wouldn't happen b/c they have no practical experience.
I'm not trying to throw administration under the bus b/c hey, everyone is entitled to better themselves but I just think having someone who was a teacher for 20 years now be the school's superintendent is not the best idea. Clearly it's not working, our taxes keep going up but what I see us getting in return for it is not worth it.
Most admins don't go directly from teaching to superintendent. They become chairpeople, asst principals, building principals, directors, asst superintendents then superintendent.
I understand the logic that you want a business person running schools for fiscal reasons, but could you imagine a business person w/o education experience decided curriculum, discipline and other pedagogy? Our schools would be a complete mess.
But I do agree there are way to many administrators!
I am a teacher on LI - and I have never really put out too much money (now I don't put out a dime - and if I do the PTA reimburses us), but even when I worked in NYC I didn't put out much money. There are always ways to be reimbursed or figure out how to get what you need.
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| Posted 12/18/08 6:01 PM |
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BabyBoy
is Skylar Elizabeth
Member since 5/05 4189 total posts
Name:
Tom
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Re: Patterson eliminating STAR Rebate Checks...
Posted by MST9106
I don't know if you guys heard this but apparently there was a deal reached last night between the State and City Council that would reinstate the STAR $400 rebate checks.
STAR Rebates
this is for the city,
we are talking about the state as a whole
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| Posted 12/18/08 6:47 PM |
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Michi
My Love
Member since 5/05 31600 total posts
Name:
M
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Re: Patterson eliminating STAR Rebate Checks...
Posted by BabyBoy
Posted by MST9106
I don't know if you guys heard this but apparently there was a deal reached last night between the State and City Council that would reinstate the STAR $400 rebate checks.
STAR Rebates
this is for the city,
we are talking about the state as a whole
so does that mean we will get them? --the 400.00 rebate checks?
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| Posted 12/18/08 7:03 PM |
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Tabitha
Member since 2/07 2029 total posts
Name:
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Re: Patterson eliminating STAR Rebate Checks...
^ i HOPE that means we will get them 
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| Posted 12/18/08 7:05 PM |
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