PRESS RELEASE
January 7, 2008

Legislators Hope Mandate Relief is Included in State of State

Members of the majority of the Rensselaer County Legislature have introduced a series of resolutions advocating for reform of expensive state mandates, and hope the ideas are included in the governor’s State of the State address this week and subsequent state budget announcement.

A series of resolutions calling for mandate reform will be considered by the County Legislature at the Tuesday, January 8 meeting. Governor Spitzer is scheduled to deliver the State of the State address Wednesday, with the presentation of the state budget coming later this month.

Legislators were spurred to call for reform of state mandates after the cost for mandates rose in the 2008 budget to a level where 89 cents out of every tax dollar goes to pay for mandates. County officials from across New York State have called for reform of mandates, saying mandates are driving up property taxes and threatening needed county services.

“We hope the resolutions we send over to the governor become topics for consideration at the upcoming legislative session. The need for mandate reform is greater than ever,” said Chairman of the Legislature Neil J. Kelleher.

“The State of the State speech and presentation of the state budget later this month will be great opportunities for the governor to make good on some of his promises to reform state mandates and revitalize the upstate economy,” added Legislator Martin Reid.

“This is our wish-list for the State of the State and the upcoming legislative session. We are ready and willing to work with the governor to make these initiatives a reality,” said Vice Chairman of the Legislature Thomas Walsh Sr.

Three resolutions will be considered at the January 8 legislative meeting advocating for reform. The first resolution calls for an overall 25 percent rollback of state mandates, a restriction on any new state mandates being placed on counties and school districts, and formation of a special state commission to review other state mandates and rates of reimbursement. The resolution also stipulates the Legislature’s willingness to do an equivalent rollback of property taxes to accompany any reduction in state mandates.

The second resolution asks for funding for the state-ordered expansion of the county jail to be included in the state budget. The expansion of the jail is expected to cost more than $50 million, making it one of the most expensive construction projects in county history. Legislators have held off approving bonds for the state-ordered project in the hopes of securing additional state aid.

The third resolution calls for adoption of an upstate economic development infrastructure fund to help pay for municipal sewer and water projects that help create jobs and new business. The resolution seeks state and federal funding for the effort and mirrors a plan introduced by U.S. Senator Charles Schumer.

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