On this edition of In Focus, New York State Association of Counties Executive Director Stephen Acquario discusses growing frustration among county leaders over unfunded mandates, rising costs and increasing pressure on local budgets. He says counties are being forced to use reserves and, in some cases, raise property taxes to cover mandated services, limiting their ability to invest in economic development.
Acquario says local leaders want more flexibility to focus on job creation, housing and keeping families in New York, while urging state and federal officials to better understand and support the role counties play.
You can watch the full interview above. And be sure to tune in for a look inside the biggest issues impacting upstate New York on In Focus with JoDee Kenney — every Sunday on Spectrum News 1.
Source: spectrumlocalnews.com
