North Country Republican Assembly candidate John Byrne has joined a group of lawmakers who are proposing a tax plan he says would have an “immediate impact” on North Country residents.

The plan would double the STAR exemptions and reduce personal income taxes by 30 percent, according to a release issued by Byrne.

“This election is about sending someone back to Albany who’s been committed to raising our taxes vs. someone who’s offering a real plan that would do the exact opposite,” Byrne said in the release.

Byrne says a “$19 billion slush fund for Albany politicians to spend on their own pet projects” could be used to fund the tax cut. He also says “rooting out legitimate waste, fraud and abuse in the state’s welfare system could recoup funding for the plan.

Byrne says his plan to double STAR exemptions would save the average homeowner $405 and would save the average senior homeowner $839.

In his release, Byrne also accuses Russell of contributing to the state’s high taxes.

“We need someone who’s serious about proposing aggressive, bold measures that will make a real difference for our families,” Byrne said.

“These are tough times. We already pay some of the highest taxes in the country, including property, income, cell phone and energy taxes. ‘The River’ economy has been robbed of good jobs and the talent that goes along with them. Half-hearted relief and empty promises from my opponent have helped contribute to higher taxes and the migration of jobs,” he said.

“As assemblyman, I’ll work with whoever I need to – Republican or Democrat, Assembly or Senate – to advance a policy that will make a positive impact on the North Country. Maybe we can’t get everything we want on a plan like this, because New York City Democrats will rail against it, but there’s always room for compromise. And that’s what’s missing right now in Albany. We need more people who have the temperament to compromise. And we need more people who will listen to us and respect our opinion when we’re asking for help,” Byrne said.