What's happening
This bill raises the vote threshold for local governments to adopt budgets exceeding tax levy limits, requiring a majority plus one vote in certain cases.
Why it matters
Makes it harder for local governments to raise taxes above state-imposed limits. by requiring a higher voting threshold in cases where a simple 60% “supermajority” would otherwise be the same as a simple majority (for example, on small boards).
Reduces the likelihood of tax increases. by ensuring that tax cap overrides require broader consensus among local officials, potentially protecting taxpayers from frequent or easily-approved property tax hikes.
Could impact local government flexibility. in responding to budgetary needs or emergencies, as leaders will now need to secure more votes to exceed tax limits, possibly complicating urgent funding decisions.
May change local political dynamics. , making coalition-building and negotiation more important for passing budgets that exceed tax levy limits, and possibly increasing transparency and accountability in local fiscal decisions.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Tougher Votes for Tax Hikes
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to local governments
- Referred to local governments
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1510
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 12, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. ZEBROWSKI -- read once and referred to the Committee on Local Governments
AN ACT to amend the general municipal law, in relation to increasing the requisite vote required by a local government to adopt a budget that includes a tax levy
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 5 of section 3-c of the general municipal law, as added by section 1 of part A of chapter 97 of the laws of 2011, is amended to read as follows:
5. A local government may adopt a budget that requires a tax levy that is greater than the tax levy limit for the coming fiscal year, not including any levy necessary to support the expenditures pursuant to subparagraphs (i) through (iv) of paragraph [g] (g) of subdivision two of this section, only if the governing body of such local government first enacts, by a vote of sixty percent of the total voting power of such body except when the vote of sixty percent is equal to a majority of such body in which case it shall require a vote of a majority plus one of all the voting members, a local law to override such limit for such coming fiscal year only, or in the case of a district or fire district, a resolution, approved by a vote of sixty percent of the total voting power of such body, to override such limit for such coming fiscal year only.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that the amendments to subdivision 5 of section 3-c of the general municipal law made by section one of this act shall not affect the repeal of such section and shall be deemed repealed therewith.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04338-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.