As Gov. Kathy Hochul eyes $3 billion for inflation rebate checks, upstate officials warn the gesture could be erased by rising local taxes, according to Spectrum News. Municipal leaders argue that investing those funds directly into local governments would more effectively address ballooning deficits and essential services.
Cities like Watertown and Buffalo are proposing steep tax increases to plug gaps, blaming stagnant state aid and a 16-year-old formula that hasn’t kept pace with inflation. Syracuse City Auditor Alexander Marion and Auburn Mayor Jimmy Giannettino are pushing for reforms, emphasizing how unfunded mandates leave cities with few options.
Eight counties have already surpassed New York’s 2% property tax cap this year. Local leaders say Hochul’s plan doesn’t reflect her background in county and town government—and that her one-time rebates won’t ease long-term financial strain.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].