Counties Testify On The Local Impact Of The Proposed State Budget

The New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) provided state budget testimony today to state lawmakers as part of a series of joint Senate and Assembly legislative hearings on the proposed state budget.




Pictured: NYSAC Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario

“Our goal during this state budget cycle is to protect local taxpayers, preserve local services, and promote the flexibility that local leaders need to provide the quality of life that will make New Yorkers want to stay in our communities and in our great state,” said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario as he addressed the Assemblymembers and Senators who attended the public hearing.
 
These Joint Legislative Budget Hearing Committees are designed for lawmakers to gather feedback on the Governor's proposed state budget. NYSAC's testimony to the local government standing committees can be found here.
 
Counties are encouraged by proposals that address long-sought priorities like providing permanency in local sales tax rates, ending the diversion of local taxes to pay for the State's AIM program, making sound investments in public health, and supporting veterans and infrastructure, while also committing to build reserves for the future.
 
“While overall this a good budget for our counties, we strongly oppose the diversion of $250 million a year in local sales taxes for a state-run distressed health facilities fund that the budget proposal continues,” said Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro, president of the New York State County Executives Association.
 
NYSAC has been analyzing the budget proposal's impact on counties across the state, with this testimony, a report detailing initiatives outlined in the Executive State Budget, and a two-page state budget scorecard.
 
“Counties look forward to working with state lawmakers through the next two months of budget negotiations,” said NYSAC President Marte Sauerbrey, chairwoman of the Tioga County Legislature. “At the end of the day, our top priority is keeping local taxes local. That's the best way to ensure maximum transparency and accountability to the taxpayer while addressing the unique needs of each community.”