Cuomo discusses new law to help reduce local government
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BUFFALO - Fredonia Mayor Michael Sullivan joined Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo Thursday to applaud the enactment of the "New N.Y. Government Reorganization and Citizen Empowerment Act." Cuomo was in Buffalo to demonstrate how the legislation gives citizens and local officials the power to cut the nation's highest local taxes by consolidating and dissolving the numerous layers of local government that exist in the state today.
The historic measure, authored by Cuomo, overwhelmingly passed both houses of the Legislature with bipartisan support and was signed into law on June 25.
Cuomo also announced the creation of a new interactive Web site to help New Yorkers learn about and use the new law.
"This law is all about empowering taxpayers. After 75 years of studies and failed efforts at reform, communities across the state now have a powerful new tool for cutting government waste and slashing the highest local taxes in the nation," said Cuomo.
"Today we are instituting real and lasting reform and ushering in a new era of greater public involvement and more efficient governing across New York state. My office will also continue working to provide the resources to help New Yorkers help themselves."
The Web site www.reformnygov.com is a single source for information regarding the new law. The site features:
New interactive maps detailing the number of local governments and special districts in each county;
Sample petitions to help citizens initiate the process;
Two simple step-by-step instruction guides as to how the process works: one for citizens and another for local officials;
Interactive communication features to connect citizens across the state allowing them to share ideas about reorganizing local government.
Cuomo's "New N.Y. Government Reorganization and Citizen Empowerment Act," is designed to cut government waste, reduce taxes, and provide vital services in a more efficient manner. Today, there are more than 10,500 governmental entities imposing taxes and fees across New York state. This includes towns, villages, districts, and special districts such as water, sewer, and lighting districts. These numerous overlapping governments saddle residents with the nation's highest local taxes.
The new comprehensive law streamlines the often Byzantine and cumbersome process for consolidating and dissolving local governmental entities, including the myriad special districts across the state. The new law does not mandate reorganization of local governments; rather, it empowers citizens, local officials, and counties to make these decisions themselves.
Assemblyman Sam Hoyt, Chair of the Assembly's Committee on Local Governments, said, "Attorney General Cuomo's law gives communities across New York state the power, if they choose, to initiate the once-burdensome process of consolidation. With today's announcement, Attorney General Cuomo's Office is making sure that citizens and local elected officials have the information at hand to bring about real change. As chair of the Assembly's committee on local governments and member of the Lundine Commission, I am honored to have helped usher this measure into action."
Fredonia Mayor Sullivan said, "The issue of consolidation is not a partisan issue. Local elected officials need to work with citizens to bring about change to improve the way we provide services in New York. The same old way of doing business has not been working very well and the changes which the Attorney General drafted and has now succeeded in getting adopted in New York will open the door for citizens to lead their local officials toward necessary change."
As the state's chief legal officer, Attorney General Cuomo is often tasked with advising local governments on the laws regulating them. It became clear that existing laws were filled with inconsistencies and complexities making meaningful reform virtually unattainable. The law repeals and amends these outdated laws to allow for meaningful reform of local governments throughout the state.
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AReader
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07-03-09 2:33 PM
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On this Fourth of July weekend, let us stop to remember when the Founding Fathers fought to free us from mandates of the Government to establish a system of participatory government in which the voters decide the shape and form of the country in which they live. It is a shame that some would prefer we give up the freedom of the vote to the tyranny of the mandate to re-build the county, the state, the nation in their preferred image.
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commentor
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07-03-09 2:14 PM
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Gov Cuomo, again! I hope not. The first one didn't do us any favors. He passed the bill what is he doing to cut govt?????
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PhilJulian
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07-03-09 9:32 AM
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All we need now is to get kevin Gaughan to move to Chautauqua County! Mr. Cuomo has the right idea and we should get used to saying "Governor Cuomo" again. In the final analysis I will be surprised if anything less than a sta e mandate will change the structure of government and education in our county. The animals are running the farm and many of them are on the payroll!
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SJMinTX
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07-03-09 8:56 AM
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There is no **** in front of the website addresses. it is just gillibrand.senate.gov or schumer.senate.gov
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SJMinTX
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07-03-09 8:53 AM
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Could it be? A chance to actually reduce the most burdensome taxes in the nation? Now it's up to the people to use this as a tool to rally around and slash extra layers of government. You will need the extra money. But if you REALLY want to avoid your UTILITY BILLS JUMPING UP TO 60% NEXT YEAR then you need to write or call your United States Senators in Washington and tell them you DO NOT want the Waxman-Markey cap-and-trade energy tax bill to become law. You know those $400 winter natural gas bills? They will be $650 per month if this bill becomes law. Your electric bill and gasoline will go up, too! You must act now. Before it is too late. The senate will be debating this shortly. They need to hear from you. Call BOTH Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (202) 224-4451 AND Sen. Charles Schumer (202) 224-6542 and tell them NO CAP AND TRADE. Or, go to their websites: *******gillibrand.senate.gov or *******schumer.senate.gov and leave them a message on their contact page.
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