This is the very terse note accompanying the $400 homeowners rebate checks that Michael Bloomberg reluctantly sent out after brokering a deal with the City Council on taxes.

Last year, the message that accompanied the checks was a little longer, and decidedly more upbeat:

“The Mayor and the City Council have approved another property tax rebate. Your enclosed rebate check is the City’s way of recognizing the sacrifice you made to keep New York City fiscally sound.”

Both message were signed by Martha Stark, the city’s finance commissioner.

UPDATE: A spokesman for Commissioner Stark emailed to say, "The message changes every year."

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