Public employee union, public officials concerned about forced government consolidation efforts

POUGHKEEPSIE – There is
growing concern among local publicofficials about a proposal by Governor
Cuomo that they believe would force local government entities to partner
together to create shared services.
They say the plan would take decision-making away from localities over the services they provide and include threats of lost aid.
State Senator Susan Serino (R, 41) was among those who stood outside
the Dutchess County Office Building in Poughkeepsie to express their concern.
“It’s up to the county executive to come up with a plan and if the county executive came up with a plan and if it wasn’t up to the governor’s specifications – that the governor didn’t think it was good enough – would the counties be penalized because the governor didn’t like it and then the counties wouldn’t get their AIM funding – Aid to Municipalities,” Serino asked.
CSEA union leaders and other public officials also expressed their apprehension about the proposal.
A news release from the governor first announced the Municipal Consolidation and Efficiency Competition for local governments to build consortiums and compete for a $20 million award. It said under the program, teams of two or more local governments will submit plans demonstrating how government consolidations and innovative restructuring initiatives will yield reductions in property taxes. A panel selected by Secretary of State Rossana Rosado will pick the winning consortium and plan.