With one week left of session, Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) is renewing his call for passage of bipartisan mandate relief legislation, A.739, that would allow local governments, school districts and public authorities to enroll in county-wide, self-insured health plans. Consolidating coverage and spreading risk over a greater number of beneficiaries would drive down health insurance costs for local governments, one of the costliest mandates facing municipalities in New York today.

Palmesano, a co-sponsor of the legislation, joined the prime sponsors of the bill, Assemblyman Phil Steck (D-Colonie) and Senator Joe Griffo (R,C,I- Rome), along with other local officials at a press conference to urge passage of this important legislation.

“While capping taxes helps, we need to find ways to actually reduce the property tax burden placed on our families and small businesses,” said Palmesano. “The only way we are going to reduce the property tax burden is to address the true cost drivers that continue to drive up local budgets for school districts and municipalities. This common-sense legislation is a big step in the right direction,” said Palmesano.

"For many years, Chemung County had a very successful health insurance consortium that included nine of the 11 towns and three of the five villages within Chemung County, along with four towns and villages in Schuyler County and several other districts including Soil and Water in both Schuyler and Chemung, as well as the Library District. Through this consortium we were able to provide excellent coverage at extremely competitive rates. Chemung County strongly supports the passage of legislation which would restore our ability to provide health insurance coverage to our local municipalities. This concept is in line with the state’s efforts to encourage local government cooperation and consolidation and will most definitely lead to cost savings for our taxpayers," said Tom Santulli, Chemung County Executive.

“Finally, legislation that addresses the real problem we face at the local level, unfunded mandates. I strongly support this legislation and urge its approval by the Senate and Assembly,” said Corning Mayor Rich Negri.

“This legislation has the potential to reduce local health insurance costs, one of the largest and fastest-rising components of every city and village budget in this state,” said Peter Baynes, Executive Director, New York Conference of Mayors (NYCOM). “Removing barriers to form efficient inter-municipal partnerships, such as this bill seeks to do, should be encouraged. The Conference of Mayors, therefore, strongly supports this pro-taxpayer legislation and urges its approval by the Senate and Assembly.”

“This bill is one of the most important pieces of mandate relief legislation,” said Stephen J. Acquario, Executive Director, New York State Association of Counties. “The state has asked local governments to do more shared services. We’d like the state to reform archaic and unnecessary barriers that prevent municipalities from working together to benefit taxpayers.”