Lieutenant Governor Duffy to Host Ten Hearings across the State to Allow Public to Give Input on Governor's Mandate Relief and Pension Reform Plans
New Website Will Keep New Yorkers Informed of Council’s Work and Allow Local Governments, School Districts and the Public to Submit Specific Mandate Concerns
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the schedule for the Mandate Relief Council's public hearings that will give citizens and local officials an opportunity to provide input on the mandate relief proposals in the Executive Budget.
The Council was created by the Governor and Legislature to address the skyrocketing costs facing local governments that have contributed to New York State's high property tax rates. Lieutenant Governor Robert Duffy will host the public hearings.
"These public hearings will be held across the state giving citizens and local officials the chance to have direct input on our plan to reduce the cost of local government," Governor Cuomo said. "I have said repeatedly that government works best when the citizens get involved, and I urge all New Yorkers to participate in this important process."
For more information about the Mandate Relief Council and to get involved, citizens and local government officials can visit www.nygetinvolved.com. The website includes:
The website also allows taxpayers, local governments, and school districts to easily interact with the Council. The public can comment on specific mandates that the Council is reviewing as well as submit any other comments and ideas for mandate relief. Local government and school district officials can electronically submit mandate relief ideas for the Council to review.
The hearing dates and locations are as follows:
Feb. 10 - Long Island
Feb. 23 – Central NY
Feb. 24 - Mohawk Valley
Feb. 27 – Hudson Valley
Feb. 28 - Capital Region
Mar. 2 - North Country East
Mar. 8 - North Country West
Mar. 9 - Southern Tier
Mar. 16 - Western NY
Mar. 16 - Finger Lakes
Specific times and locations will be announced closer to the date of the actual meeting. The meetings are open to the public and can be viewed live at www.governor.ny.gov/mandatereliefcouncil.
About the Mandate Relief Council:
The Mandate Relief Council is an eleven-member Executive and Legislative council charged with reviewing and advancing proposals to reduce the statutory and regulatory burden on local governments and school districts. Governor Cuomo signed the law creating the Mandate Relief Council as part of a mandate relief package that will save local governments and school districts more than $125 million.
The State depends on its local governments and school districts to deliver essential services to its residents and often prescribes how these services should be provided. These requirements are woven throughout State laws and regulations – limiting flexibility and increasing costs. The Council was created to find, review, and reform these mandates.
Members of the Council include:
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