Counties should push back on state mandates that strain taxpayers’ wallets

Editor:

I attended the county budget public hearing last week. Initially I was surprised by the lack of attendance but at the conclusion, indeed I felt my time foolishly spent.

I begin by making clear that I hold nothing but respect for the individuals comprising our county legislative body. They contribute many hours for a small stipend and are tasked with trying to minimize pain to taxpayers while abiding to the stipulation of state mandates. They literally have discretion of less than 10% of the annual budget. Hence my mood leaving the meeting.

These debilitating mandates have reached a point whereby counties must go without and continually raise tax rates and assessments to comply. At what point do the residents stand in unison and proclaim “Enough!”?

I implored the Legislative Body to seriously consider disavowing the mandates and accept the consequence of no state funds coming our way. I’m sure they were too polite to express what they likely thought of my query.

I submit, it is financially risky and fraught with litigation. That is the down side. These mandates are a carrot on a stick. We citizens are the donkey plodding along too simple to realize he will never gain on the reward.

NYS will not mobilize the National Guard. This is not civil disobedience. We are saying “no thank you” to their offer. I strongly believe the first Upstate county to express the required fortitude of this action will be quickly joined by neighboring counties facing the same plight. At some point critical mass is reached and the state is forced to negotiate. That is the up side.

I invite your ridicule or rebuttal. Please don’t however, tell me your plan to do nothing and hope our representation in Albany will miraculously swing in our favor eventually.

This dilemma will get worse. There is a valid scenario where NYC will not follow pending federal immigration mandates and will in turn be financially punished (such irony). Where do you suppose they (downstate) will look to fill their deficit?

Charles Hartway

Medina