Gov. David Paterson?s school property tax cap plan got the approval of the State Senate Friday, but it awaits the Assembly?s go ahead.

The state Senate called a special session to pass the measure. Weeks ago, Paterson called on legislators to help ease the economic pain of everyday New Yorkers and get the budget deficit in check.

The bill caps school property tax increases at 4 percent a year.

?Today is about controlling and reducing property taxes,? Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R) said. ?It's about acknowledging and responding to the pleas of over 75 percent of the people of the state of New York.?

The bulk of property taxes goes toward school budgets. Critics of the bill say it could hurt school districts, especially those in low-income areas.

Others say it?s a good first step to keeping costs down.

Political analysts say the Democratic-led Assembly likely will not support the bill.