High taxes are a fact in Western New York. And a recent Empire Center for Public Policy report found our region is No. 1 in the state when it comes to tax burden.

“There’s no question that New Yorkers pay some of the highest property taxes in the country,” said Tim Hoefer, executive director of the Empire Center. “By making it easier to compare taxes in different localities, we hope to encourage local taxpayers and elected officials to search for ways of reducing taxes and spending.”

Interestingly enough, the areas with the lowest taxes in the county are in the Chautauqua Lake school district. When the Mayville and Chautauqua schools merged, taxes went down thanks to the financial incentives from New York state.

Now that Ripley students are being tuitioned to the school, those are also keeping tax rates low.

In other words, consolidation does help cut costs – despite the inaccurate calls it will not.