By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – Governor Pataki is moving forward with a pledge to create a bi-partisan task force on local government reform.
The governor appointed Erie County Executive Joel Giambra to co-chair the effort. The task force will explore ways of making local governments more efficient.
Giambra says he'll look to implement statewide some of the regionalism concepts he's championed in Western New York.
"We're going to take a look at the duplicative form of government we have here in New York State," Giambra said. "At a time when the state does not have the resources to provide the levels of support that local governments have come accustomed to, it requires that we take a close look at how we govern ourselves. We hope to reduce waste and duplication. We're going to look at everything from aggressive collaboration to the possible merger of government units."
The task force will consist of 22 members, all appointed by the Governor. Fourteen of them are elected local government officials.
A series of public hearings will be held across the state to gain input from residents. Giambra said he hopes to have a report to the governor a year from now.