County government elected officials have long supported lowering property taxes-not just slowing the growth. The fact is that the state now owns any increases in local property taxes, as these increases are not caused by the actions at the local level.   In fact, the 2019/20 state budget, if enacted as proposed, would likely impose nearly $200 million in new mandates on counties.  Proposals such as mandating counties make AIM payments to towns and villages that were eliminated by the state, increased costs for implementing early voting, forcing new criminal justice monitoring through bail reform, elimination of funding for youth in need of supervision and authority for the Governor to cut local assistance by up to three percent if revenues fall short of estimates, which they have in recent years. These actions, and other legacy actions of the state, will force local governments to spend more local taxes, thus preventing lower property taxes.

 

State mandates on local government have inhibited local ingenuity and innovation, and the continued underinvestment into local needs will have long term consequences.  To have vibrant communities and lower property taxes, the state must take more fiscal responsibility for state laws, policies, and programs.