Press Room
You Are Here:
County Officials from Across Western New York to State Legislators
March 13, 2008
State cost shifts in welfare and youth detention will increase property taxes
County officials from across Western New York continue to fight proposals put forth in the 2008-09 Executive State Budget that would shift state costs to county property taxpayers. More than 50 of these local leaders were scheduled to attend an Erie County press conference, which has been cancelled as a result of today’s resignation by Governor Eliot Spitzer.
“While we recognize there needs to be a period of time for the transition to a new administration under Governor-to-be David Paterson, we also remain focused like a laser on New York State’s property tax crisis,” said Wayne Zyra, the President of the Monroe County Legislature and the head of the InterCounty Association of Western New York. “Enacting the State Budget is a priority and it is time for the new Governor, the Senate and the Assembly to come together to reject proposals to shift costs to county property taxpayers and address the root causes of the property tax crisis in New York.”
The 2008-09 Executive State Budget has proposed two substantial cost shifts that will be added to county budgets and the local property tax burden. According to county calculations, the Executive Budget will require counties and the City of New York to pay at least $27.5 million in the current budget year and $50 million in the next from an increased share of welfare benefits and the full cost of local youth detention facilities.
“More than 80 percent of the Erie County budget is state mandated and our economy continues to struggle. There is absolutely no appetite for our property taxpayers to absorb the cost shifts included in the proposed 2008-09 State Budget,” said Lynn Marinelli, the Chair of the Erie County Legislature. “Our state legislators must recognize our need for property tax relief and the need for economic development attention in Western New York.”
“Now, more than ever we need to work together—all layers and levels of government in New York State—to provide the property tax relief and economic development opportunities we need to revitalize our communities,” said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario. “As the administration arm of the State—delivering state services locally—our counties stand ready to partner with the Administration and the State Legislature to resolve the challenges we all face.”
The New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC), founded in 1925, is a bi-partisan municipal association representing the 62 counties of New York State. NYSAC is the only statewide association representing the interests of nearly 5,000 elected and appointed officials, including county executives, legislators, supervisors, administrators, commissioners and other employees who deliver essential services to the public.
###