Senate passes mandate relief legislation

Mark Grisanti

February 8, 2011

 The New York State Senate recently passed three mandate relief bills that would give local governments more authority and flexibility and help save taxpayer dollars.

One measure would authorize localities to deliver proposed local laws to members of their legislative bodies by e-mail. 

Another bill would tax collectors to send tax statements by email to homeowners who opt out of receiving paper statements.

In addition, the Senate passed legislation that would allow two or more contiguous towns to jointly purchase highway equipment.

Last month, the Senate passed mandate relief legislation that would require any state mandated program imposed on municipalities or school districts, which created any net additional cost in excess, to be funded by the state.

“It is important that we pass mandate relief measures to give municipalities the ability to allocate resources based on their own individual priorities instead of addressing state mandates that may not be needed,” Senator Mark Grisanti said. “The bills we passed represents common sense legislation that will save money.”

The bills were sent to the Assembly.