ALBANY— The Business Council of New York State said today the report of the New York State Commission on Local Government Efficiency and Competitiveness offers sound ideas to reduce the cost of local government and make New York more competitive.
“The commission's recommendations provide a road map for streamlining New York's local government structure and reducing the costs that are driving up property taxes,” said Kenneth Adams, Business Council president and CEO. “The commission's call for the consolidation of cities, towns, villages, school districts and other local taxing entities could offer property taxpayers real relief.”
“Today, with 5,528 local government entities New York residents are often paying taxes to several layers of government units. The commission recognizes that New York is out of the mainstream in the way local governments are organized and that is damaging our competitiveness,” added Adams.
New York with 62 public employees per 1,000 residents has a state and local government workforce 14 percent larger than the national average, according to U.S. Census data.
Adams praised former Lt. Gov. Stan Lundine, who headed the panel and the members of the commission for their work.
“Gov. Paterson got it right when he said too many New Yorkers are voting with their feet due to the crushing property tax burden. We support his effort to begin implementing some of these recommendations. For New York to create economic growth and good jobs the property tax burden must be reduced. To accomplish that our local government system must be made more efficient,” said Adams.
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