Politics on the Hudson

Gov. David Paterson signed an executive order today that will require an evaluation of state mandates pushed down to local governments that are often blamed for the state’s high property taxes.

Facing a backlash from voters over state spending increases and new taxes in the 2009-10 budget, Paterson’s call for mandate relief is one of several property-tax initiatives he plans to roll out in the coming weeks. He also will revive a proposal to impose a cap on school property taxes.

Standing in the front lawn of an Albany-area home with elected leaders from across the state, Paterson said at a news conference that state mandates are crippling local governments.

His plan doesn’t specifically reduce the current mandates, but it will require his office and state agencies to evaluate the fiscal impacts of any proposed legislation on local governments. Agencies will also be required to review existing mandates and find ways to reduce their costs by Dec. 1.

Paterson vowed to reject legislation that would put more unnecessary burdens on local governments.

“We can bring our state back to prosperity, and we can make an affordable life for the residents of new York state,” Paterson said, adding that “mandate relief really is what New York counties and local governments actually need.”

But some groups warned that the changes may infringe on laws already on the books and give state agencies the ability to cut services.

“To specifically say, ‘Here’s how we can save local governments money by rolling back regulations that were designed to protect public health and the environment’ is very dangerous,” said Laura Haight, senior environmental associate with the New York Public Interest Research Group.

But county executives, including Westchester Executive Andrew Spano and Ulster Executive Michael Hein, who were on hand, praised the steps.

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