Ranzenhofer Pursues NYS Mandate Reliefs

A RESOLUTION SUBMITTED BY LEGISLATORS RANZENHOFER & MILLS

WHEREAS, The New York State Association of Counties issued a report in November of 2006 outlining several policies the State of New York could reform for the benefit of counties throughout the state, and

WHEREAS, the report suggests that the Governor should strive to forge a stronger state/local partnership by seeking the elimination of unnecessary state requirements, make the state more responsive by requiring state payment of mandates it deems essential and by establishing alternative methods for performance and implementation, and

WHEREAS, by providing new flexibility aimed at reducing local fiscal burdens and permitting greater administrative flexibility, the Governor can assist local governments in reducing the real property tax burden, and

WHEREAS, over the years several positive mandate relief measures have been advanced that would offer significant benefits to localities, including the repeal of the WICKS law, binding arbitration reform, and the alignment of judgment award standards with the private sector, and

WHEREAS, taxpayers of Erie County can see significant savings if our state government take serious and thoughtful steps at relieving the ever growing burden of unfunded state mandates, and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, that the Erie County Legislature joins the New York State Association of Counties in urging the Governor and the State Legislature to reform the WICKS Law, increase local sales tax authority, relieve the burden of uncollected school taxes, enforce sales tax to non-native Americans, and expand county financing flexibility, and be it further

RESOLVED, that the Clerk of the Legislature forward certified copies of this resolution to the New York State Governor, the County Executive, the Budget Director, Members of the Erie County Fiscal Stability Authority, and members of the Local State Legislative Delegation.

Fiscal Impact: Positive for Erie County

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