Press release:
In an ongoing effort to define the State mandates that should be on the short list for mandate relief efforts at the State level, today the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) released a new report: “State Programs Funded by County Property Taxpayers” (attached).
“County elected officials remain committed to providing essential local services in their communities. However, to do this and stabilize our property taxes, we need mandate relief from the state. This report details for the first time the vast majority of mandates required by the State. This is a call to action and we need assistance from our Governor,” said NYSAC President Mary Pat Hancock, chairwoman of the Genesee County Legislature.
County governments are regional governments and, because of this unique relationship with the public, have been called upon by the state to provide state services locally. However, over time, reimbursement for these state programs and services was eliminated or drastically reduced leaving local taxpayers to make up the difference. In fact, in 2012 more than $11 billion in local taxes will be sent to the State treasury to subsidize State spending decisions in these areas.
"Last year, State lawmakers promised to enact meaningful mandate relief when they enacted a property tax cap. This report is designed to define what those mandates are, and to ensure that there is no doubt of the areas of concern. These are the mandates that the state should focus on to provide meaningful mandate relief,” said Chautauqua County Executive Greg Edwards, president of the New York State County Executives Association.
Last year, county leaders identified just nine State mandates that consume 90 percent of the entire county property tax levy collected statewide. This most recent report takes those nine mandates as a stepping off point, and identifies other major cost drivers that must be funded by local taxes each year.
In terms of Medicaid alone, counties and the City of New York will send $7.3 billion to the State in weekly installments to fund the State’s public health insurance program.
Counties are advocating for five specific mandate relief proposals, including
1. A gradual State takeover of county Medicaid costs;
2. Pension reforms;
3. Reforms to the Pre-School Special Education Program transportation costs;
4. Requiring health insurance companies to fund medically necessary Early Intervention services;
5. Timely reimbursement from the state for state services delivered locally.
“We believe 2012 is the year for State leaders to enact meaningful mandate relief that will provide counties the ability to stabilize property taxes, continue critical local services and promote the economic vitality of our communities. We cannot afford for this effort to fail and on behalf of the public, our county leaders stand ready to work with our partners in State government to make that happen,” said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario
Download report by clicking here (PDF)
