While appearing on Long Island with GOP Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano this afternoon, Democratic gubernatorial designee Andrew Cuomo announced he’s launching a new Website to rally public support for his two percent property tax cap.

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This comes on the heels of the AG’s RV tour, during which he asked New Yorkers to sign a petition to support his government/ethics/budget reform etc. proposals.

A two percent property tax cap that is more stringent and broad than the 4 percent cap Gov. David Paterson is pushing (so far without success) in Albany, is part of Cuomo’s “New New York Agenda,” but this is the first time he has singled out the issue as a particular focus.

In an e-mail sent to supporters earlier today, Cuomo wrote:

“Local property taxes in New York State grew by 73 percent from 1998 to 2008. That’s more than twice the rate of inflation during that period.”

“We’ve got to do something to get this under control and bring relief to New Yorkers. That’s why I’m proposing a statewide property tax cap that would limit property tax growth to 2% or the rate of inflation – whichever is lower.”

“It’s a straightforward solution, and it’s exactly the kind of bold, common sense change that this campaign is all about. But to make it happen, we need the Legislature in Albany to act.”

Cuomo’s tax cap push comes as the Legislature is preparing to return to Albany for an extraordinary session called by Paterson for 6 p.m. tomorrow night. Paterson put his cap on the agenda, but lawmakers are under no requirement to take up whatever it is the governor has laid out for them.

Legally speaking, all they have to do is show up, gavel and gavel out.

As Jimmy Vielkind noted earlier today, the local Democratic senator, Craig Johnson, wasn’t on hand for the Cuomo-Mangano event today – despite the fact that he is an ardent tax cap supporter AND the event took place in his neck of the woods.

Johnson, who has crossed verbal swords with Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver on the cap, issued a statement saying he hopes “the man who I believe will be the next governor of New York can help persuade Assembly Leadership to join this cause.”

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