The Committees wish to examine the Citizen Empowerment Tax Credits, the Local Government Citizens Re-Organization Empowerment Grant Program, the Local Government Efficiency Grant Program, and the Local Government Performance and Efficiency Program, funding for which was included in the State Fiscal Year 2012-2013 Budget. The Committees seek testimony related to the implementation and effectiveness of these programs, any possible changes that may improve these programs, and to evaluate how successful consolidations, dissolutions, shared services and other efficiencies associated with these programs are in reducing property taxes.

Persons wishing to present pertinent testimony to the Committee at the above hearing should complete and return the enclosed reply form as soon as possible. It is important that the reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation.

Oral testimony will be limited to ten minutes' duration. In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committee will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. These requests should be made on the attached reply form or communicated to Committee staff as early as possible.

Twenty copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committee would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements.

In order to further publicize these hearings, please inform interested parties and organizations of the Committee's interest in hearing testimony from all sources.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

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Persons wishing to present testimony at the public hearing on the competitive grant programs of the Aid and Incentives for Municipalities program included in the State Fiscal Year 2012-2013 Budget are requested to complete this reply form as soon as possible and mail, email or fax it to: