By Mark Scott
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-804619.mp3
Albany, NY – State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo unveiled a proposal Thursday to reduce the number of governments in New York. He says there are more than 10,000 -- with 939 in Erie County alone.
They range from county governments to city and town councils. But Cuomo says the real problem are the thousands of special districts that deliver such services as water, sewers and lighting.
At a late morning news conference in Albany, Cuomo says right now it's nearly impossible to consolidate governments.
"Despite New Yorkers drowning for decades in some of the nation's highest taxes, local leaders have been blocked from reforming local government in an effort to cut government waste and reduce the tax burden," Cuomo said.
Cuomo said the State Legislature will be asked next year to pass a bill that would empower local governments and even citizens to dissolve governments. His plan would allow 10 percent of voters or five thousand people -- whichever is less -- to petition for a public referendum. If it passes, the local governing body would have a year to carry out the proposed consolidation or dissolution.
Erie County Comptroller Mark Poloncarz was in Albany for Cuomo's annoucement. Poloncarz is an advocate of reducing duplicative services in government.
"My office last year showed we can save in Erie County anywhere from $2.6 to $4.4 million per year through the consolidation of all local assessment units into one regional countywide system," Poloncarz said.
Civic leader Kevin Gaughan says he welcomes Cuomo to the local government reform movement. Gaughan has been pushing his agenda of downsizing local governments to local town and village boards in recent years.
"Having the state attorney general join the reform cause is important," Gaughan said, "And having him utilize the work I've been doing for over two years is flattering."