Yesterday the Buffalo News joined me in supporting Attorney General Andrew Cuomo’s efforts to help, foster and promote consolidation.  Two important points:

• Consolidation is, “one way to cut the cost of governing New York enough that people can still afford to live here.” 
• “[Cuomo] wants new laws giving lower levels of government, and the people, the power to take consolidation steps they can’t take now.”

Cuomo’s plan would update New York’s confusing and Byzantine rules for consolidation while still maintaining Home rule for local governments.  The proposed legislation would:

• Allow each county’s executive to order a study and consolidation plan for local governments followed by a county wide vote on the plan.
• Empower local governments to cooperate, merge or dissolve.
• Give local citizens the ability to force cooperation, merger or dissolution via a petition process.

As the News points out, special districts cost tax payers more than $100 billion a year.  That’s simply more than New Yorkers can afford.

Read the Buffalo News Editorial HERE.

See AG Cuomo’s plan HERE.