Local 1757 is pressing for state funding to expand the ranks of the assessor workforce in New York City. Bills pending in the state Senate and Assembly would raise the cap on annual state assistance for assessment revaluation in the city from $500,000 to $2.2 million.

“This additional aid is critical for the city to guarantee the quality of the revaluation process,” said David Moog, president of Assessors, Appraisers and Housing Development Specialists Local 1757. “Understaffing at the Department of Finance really undermines the long-term reliability of our property revaluation.”

The assessor ranks are down by 40 positions because of layoffs and retirements in 2003 and the departure of 18 workers after an earlier corruption scandal. The additional funding — which is supported by the City Council and Finance Commissioner Martha Stark — would let the city replace the lost workers and boost salaries to attract a highly qualified new crop of employees.

At its convention in June, DC 37’s parent union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, honored Mr. Moog for his battle for more funding, higher salaries, additional workers and professional development.

Mr. Moog testified Aug. 11 before the City Council Finance Committee for a resolution backing the Albany bills. The proposal passed with support from Committee Chair David I. Weprin and member Robert Jackson, who credit the local’s lobbying for the bills’ steady progress.

For Albany legislators, the City Council vote demonstrates significant local support for the legislation. Key Albany backers include Assembly members Brian M. McLaughlin, who chairs the Real Property Tax Committee, Scott Stringer, former chair, and Sen. Martin Golden.

The local hopes that its lobbying will lead the Legislature to approve the legislation during the current session and that Gov. George E. Pataki will sign a bill before the end of the year. Otherwise, the effort will continue next year.