Last month, the state Assembly passed the New N.Y. Government Reorganization and Citizen Empowerment Act, which allows for the reorganization of local government entities including towns, villages, districts and special improvement districts to help reduce real property taxes. The act then passed the state Senate and most recently was signed into law by Governor Paterson.
While I supported the overall goals of the legislation – such as more efficient and cost-effective government entities along with lower property taxes – I was skeptical of some of the potential consequences and, therefore, voted against the measure. My concern focused on maintaining essential government services while guaranteeing democratic representation.
One of the main issues I have with the New N.Y. Government Reorganization and Citizen Empowerment Act is that no public hearings were held and, therefore, the public’s opinion was not gauged in any way. I believe that if the government is going to pass legislation that will affect taxpayer money and services, then taxpayers have the right to make their voices heard. The haste with which the legislation was presented left many citizens worried, for example, that they may be engulfed by another fire district or town without voter approval.
Now that the measure has passed, we must work diligently to make certain the potential benefits of consolidation are reached while we address some of the possible shortcomings.
The more local government entities an area has, the more layers of taxes residents are forced to pay. We are paying state taxes, county taxes, town taxes, village taxes, and district taxes. Where does it end? Giving local governments the ability to either dissolve or consolidate will also give them the ability to eliminate unnecessary taxes that are overburdening New York’s taxpayers.
But we must have reservations regarding government overreach, too. Many local governments do a tremendous job with few resources. Citizens trusting their community firefighters, village trustees, or local librarians must not lose out on those invaluable services.
The New N.Y. Government Reorganization and Citizen Empowerment Act is a good first step to saving taxpayer dollars and I will be vigilant in finding new ways to make taxpayer money go further. If you have questions about this legislation or any other state matter, please contact me at either my Johnstown office at (518) 762-6486 or Herkimer office at (315) 866-1632.