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SENATE ACTS TO PROTECT LOCALS FROM UNFUNDED MANDATES

FROM THE OFFICE OF SENATOR KENNETH P. LAVALLE

6/16/2008

Senator Kenneth P. LaValle today announced that the Senate has approved a constitutional amendment that would make compliance with unfunded mandates voluntary for local governments, school districts, and special districts. An unfunded mandate is defined in the proposed resolution as a provision of law that requires a jurisdiction to spend more money to provide certain services. This often results in cutting existing services or raising property taxes to cover the additional costs.

This amendment will help local governments, school districts, and special districts manage their current programs and services with minimal increases in their budgets.

“If adopted, this amendment would help districts save money and protect residents from major tax increases,” said Senator LaValle. “The voluntary election to implement the mandate will allow localities greater control of costs that would affect their community.”

If passed by the Assembly, the proposed amendment would need approval next year by a newly elected Legislature and could appear on the November 2009 election ballot for a statewide vote.