Long Island homeowners desperate for property tax relief may soon find long-awaited rebate checks in their mailboxes.

Governor Pataki (R-NY) now has 10 days to approve a $1 billion property tax relief bill that would provide $300 to $500 rebate checks. Pataki deemed the previous plan drafted by lawmakers, which tied rebates to school budgets, to be unconstitutional. Officials say the new proposal is based on property tax rates.

State Senator Michael Balboni (R-East Williston) says he is confident Pataki will sign the bill. If passed, homeowners will have the option of claiming the rebate this fall or taking it as a credit on their income tax form.