The Catskill Chronicle

To the Editor:

Governor Andrew Cuomo got off to a fast start, and demonstrated productive political prowess working with both houses of the State Legislature. The on-time budget and several legislative enactments were skillfully negotiated and consummated. However, Albany continues to avoid fiscal responsibility for programs they mandate local governments to perform, and refuses to balance the State budget without forcing county governments to pay annually increasing costs for conducting these programs.

For years, Albany has been imposing unfunded mandates on local governments. Counties throughout the State can no longer collect enough revenue to pay for these programs, without cutting services, laying off essential personnel and/or increasing taxes.

The tax cap legislation was adopted solely to earn political points for Albany politicians. Without concurrent mandate relief, this legislation will make it virtually impossible for many municipalities to adopt budgets with integrity or effectiveness. It is illogical, disingenuous and ill-planned (totally unrelated to fiscal responsibility and the realities of providing services), and it will not be effective. For example, the monetary obligation that is uniquely imposed upon county governments in NYS to contribute to the State’s cost of Medicaid will increase annually by an amount that exceeds the amount that a county can raise under the tax cap. In 2011, Sullivan County will pay nearly $20,000,000.00 to the State for its share! Numerous other examples abound. The legislation permits a municipality to override the cap by adopting a local law. Fiscally speaking, many municipalities will need to consider doing so.

These unfunded mandates must not only cease, but county costs must be rolled back to previous, more affordable levels. Without mandate relief, most county governments cannot survive without tax increases or severe loss of essential services, however, as Albany calculated, many do not have the political will to override the cap, especially in an election year. The State MUST treat mandate relief seriously lest taxes become totally and universally oppressive.

Local officials must work harder in the future to make government efficient, not only by cutting expenses, but by finding new revenue sources. They must also exercise bold, pro-active leadership and make decisions that will impact long term economic and fiscal growth. Only then will fiscal responsibility return, along with an invigorated economic base.

In Sullivan County, a new policy to deal with solid waste must be developed, likely regionally, so that the service is again revenue producing. The same is true of the operation of its health and family services programs, including the operation of the County’s nursing home. The county jail is still an enigma, while millions of dollars have been wasted on poorly performing consultants and wasteful decision making, and the recent decision to abandon health insurance in favor of self-insurance must be re-examined in 2012, lest the County risk catastrophic consequences. Tax exemption reform and tax assessment reform must become a priority. Continual adoption of flowery but hollow and ineffective Resolutions will continue to be a non-productive waste of time.

I hope that ALL eligible voters will participate this November at the polls. All nine Sullivan County legislators and numerous other local officials are running. Between now and then, ask them tough but meaningful questions, and demand thoughtful, sincere answers. Then, cast your votes for the best candidates.

But don’t stop there. Continue to participate. Go to meetings and make it clear that you will remain interested in their handling of important fiscal issues, and that they are working in your best interests, not just for their own political agendas.

Ira J. Cohen

Sullivan County Treasurer

October, 2011