Governor Andrew Cuomo told hundreds of invited guests at the Main Transit Fire Hall in Amherst Thursday the new state budget provides more than $100 million in property tax relief over three years. But Cuomo says in order for property owners to get a check from the state in Year Two, local governments will have to save one percent by sharing services. He says local governments have to be pressured to cut costs.
"The best way to do this is through democracy, which is you understanding the stakes and you getting in the game and you being more engaged with your local government," Cuomo said.
"If the local governments fail to do it, then the homeowners in those areas wouldn't get a credit, and that's the best reason why they're actually going to do it."
Cuomo says the 2014-2015 spending plan also increases school aid by $91 million, improves the implementation of the Common Core Learning Standards, and fully funds the "Buffalo Billion" economic development program.