Pushing the blame

In New York City the property tax is less than 1% of market value. In Dunkirk and Jamestown the rate is near 5%, Fredonia 4% and nationwide less than 2%. Chautauqua County has been identified by The Washington Tax Foundation as one of the highest taxed counties in the entire country. It all points to one thing. In our county we have too much government for the size of the population and the size of the tax base. The sooner we consolidate local governments and school districts the sooner we can start a new era of growth and prosperity. State government is only one part of the problem.

There is no "Temporary" Assistance in NY ... There is no 5 yr time limit. As for Medicaid, it is beyond abused. While there are work requirements for "Temporary Assistance" in Chautauqua County, we give out Food Stamps (which is federally funded) and Medicaid (which is partially county funded) with no expectations of the client looking for work. And if you are on SSI, don't both paying your bills b/c NY will pay them for you b/c you are disabled. So please, Shawn, quit blaming the government employees for the mess that NY is in. At least they work for what they receive.

Right on Captain.

We all know what causes deficits, and although NYS mandates are an unavoidable expense, excessive spending is far & above the #1 cause. We also know what the basic solution is: CUT SPENDING! I'll admit this is easier said than done, but maybe if our elected reps (INCLUDING BOE members) would stop worrying more about getting re-elected by pacifying public service unions & admins, and started focusing their attention on significant cost-saving measures, then MAYBE working families (i:e; the taxpayers...you know, the ones who pay for all these public servants) would stop moving away from their present zip code.

If all that remains in NYS are public servants and an ever-increasing % of public-assisted residents, I wonder if these elected officials (INCLUDING BOE members) will ever realize the self-induced economic mess they've created? I doubt it! BTW, does anyone know where I can buy a bumper sticker that reads: "I LEFT NY", cuz I'm on my way.

Don't forget the state mandates that we provide food, shelter and medical to the underprivileged which consumes more of our tax dollars than does the county's payroll and retiremen. How about the state reforming medicaid and temporary assistance (hence the word temporary). Other states do not allow generational assistance. Maybe if we follow there lead we can cut the mandates and leave the people who are working hard alone!!!!!!