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County Testimony Details How Cost Shifts Will Squeeze Property Taxpayers
February 5, 2008
Added Welfare and Juvenile Detention Costs to Increase County Property Tax Burden
The New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) and the New York Public Welfare Association (NYPWA) teamed up today to testify about how cost shifts in the Executive State Budget proposal will negatively impact local property taxpayers. Visit www.nysac.org for a copy of the testimony.
“There is a direct correlation between the decisions made in this state budget proposal to the local property tax burden in New York State. Even as we focus on our property tax crisis, this budget shifts the burden of paying for critical social service programs to our counties and local taxpayers,” NYSAC President Lucille M. McKnight told the Joint Fiscal Committees of the Legislature at a hearing on the human services aspect of the Governor’s proposed state budget.
Over the past 40 years, counties have evolved into a partnership with the State wherein counties administer State services locally, including the array of human services programs for millions of underserved and under-represented New Yorkers. These programs include Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and local juvenile detention programs.
“Not only do we deliver the services developed at the state level, but we are also responsible for much of the funding. When the state unilaterally alters traditional funding partnerships with its local governments, we at the local level have two choices—cut services or raise taxes,” said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario.
The 2008-09 Executive Budget Proposal documents indicate that counties will see a net positive benefit of $348.9 million in 2008 and $519 million in 2009 from the State spending plan. NYSAC’s analysis reveals a different point of view. According to county calculations, the Executive Budget negatively impacts counties by at least $27.5 million in the current budget year and $50 million in the next. These losses are from several program cuts and cost shifts, highlighted by the elimination of State reimbursement for local youth detention and an increased local share for welfare. (for more information, click here)
“Our organization is strongly opposed to the component of the Governor’s budget proposal that relates to welfare costs and the immediate negative impact it will have on our ability of local commissioners to maintain their approved 2008 budget plans,” said Sheila Harrigan, the executive director of the NYPWA.
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.