Communities throughout upstate New York are facing a precarious fiscal balancing act. Municipalities no longer have to worry about simply providing for the needs of their residents, but must contend with hundreds of costly unfunded state mandates that eat up a majority of tax levies. In fact, according to the New York State Association of Counties, nearly 90 percent of municipal funds are consumed by just nine unfunded state mandates.

Unfunded mandates are imposed when Albany wishes to start a program or policy, but doesn’t want to pay for it. Rather, they force our counties, municipalities, public service organizations and schools to implement and pay for these programs. Some prime examples are mandated payroll expenses and New York’s outrageous Medicaid program. It’s simply becoming too expensive.

Making matters worse is the fact that jobs are scarce, economies have slowed – leading to lower sales tax receipts – and residents are leaving our communities in droves. As need grows and revenues fall, unfunded state mandates remain exorbitantly high, placing more and more pressure on our communities.

So, I pose this question – What if we gave unfunded mandate relief to our stressed upstate communities?

Unfunded mandate relief would give our communities a much stronger financial footing. Communities would be more able to provide for residents and provide lasting property tax relief. Those with troubled business districts or blighted neighborhoods could invest in renewal. Communities could offer incentives to attract and keep employers. And they would be able to repair crumbling roads, bridges and sewer systems, which would attract development where communities need it most.

Lifting the burden of unfunded state mandates could revitalize the entire state and help spark our economy. This is something that my legislative colleagues and Gov. Cuomo must take seriously as we prepare for the upcoming legislative session. Unfunded state mandate relief must be a priority in 2014.

I welcome your ideas about how to better support our upstate communities. If you have any comments or ideas, please contact me by calling (315) 493-3903 or by emailing me at blankenbushk@assembly.state.ny.us.