A Long Island economist and an elected official presented competing plans to lower property taxes Thursday.

Marty Cantor of Dowling College proposed making all teachers, except those in New York City, state employees. Lottery money, state education aid and STAR rebates would all be distributed back to local school districts working under a regional salary structure. This would also possibly create parity in quality.

"It makes school districts more competitive that they can attract the best teachers," Cantor said.

With state government taking on greater financial responsibility, Nassau County Assessor Harvey Levinson believes Cantor's idea could double state income taxes in place of the high property taxes.

However, Levinson said, "the value of a home is not a fair indicator of ability to pay taxes."

Instead, Levinson wants an income tax hike of a few points to replace the current system.

For complete interviews with Martin Cantor and Harvey Levinson about cutting LI taxes, go to channel 612 on your iO digital cable box and select iO Extra.