Governor Pataki (R-NY) visited Long Island Thursday to promote his "STAR-Plus" tax relief plan.

Speaking at Hempstead Town Hall, Pataki outlined the plan that will offer homeowners a $400 rebate check if their school district limits spending increases to 4 percent. The Nassau-Suffolk School Boards Association blasted the proposal, saying the governor is just using a marketing gimmick that does not address the real cause of the area?s tax burden.

Officials say only 19 Long Island school districts have held spending to 4 percent this year, and that is because most are operating on a contingency budget. Officials say only a handful are limiting spending based on their original plan. If approved by lawmakers, rebate checks would be mailed in October.