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Molinaro calls on state lawmakers to implement “significant mandate relief”
POUGHKEEPSIE – As state leaders put the finishing touches on the state’s 2012-2013 budget, which must be adopted by Saturday night, March 31, Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro has written to them urging that “significant mandate relief” is necessary to aid all counties.
A two percent tax cap was implemented months ago, forcing all levels of local governments to further tighten their belts in these continued difficult economic times. Molinaro noted that nine state mandates along consume 90 percent of each county’s property tax levy. Safety Net, child welfare, indigent defense, probation, youth detention, and pensions are among the so-called “big nine” unfunded mandates.
The county executive did note the delivery of a few relief measures including pension reform and the availability of some additional dollars for indigent defense.
But, the most costly mandate on counties is the cost of Medicaid. Molinaro told lawmakers a hard cap on Medicaid cost growth and a multi-year phase out of county payments for Medicaid are needed. He said counties also need reforms in Early Intervention and Preschool Special Education to permit greater municipal involvement.
“Without these reforms and other mandate relief, Dutchess County will be faced with difficult decisions for its 2013 budget in order to close an estimated $40 million gap”, Molinaro said.
http://midhudsonnews.com/News/2012/March/28/mandates_Molinaro-28Mar12.html
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