Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R, I, C – Batavia) personally delivered signed copies of a petition calling for mandate relief to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s office in the Capitol, where they were received by staff member Rich Azzopardi. With total signatures collected in both hard copy and digital format over the last several months in excess of 1,500, the community made its voice heard loud and clear in the halls of the Capitol demanding mandate relief to foster lower taxes and better services.

“Western New Yorkers have dealt with obscene tax rates for years, and a leading contributor to these levies are unfunded mandates handed down to localities by state government that drive costs through the roof,” said Hawley. “Property taxes and other bills climb year in and year out because unfunded mandates require our local governments to perform costly, unnecessary tasks that drive up their budgets and take away our right to decide how essential services should be provided. By delivering these petitions to the governor, Western New Yorkers have made their voices heard loud and clear at the highest ranks of state government – no more skyrocketing taxes, no more unfunded mandates!”

This year, nine state mandates will account for 90 percent of the county’s local property tax levy. The petition can be signed at bit.ly/WNYformandaterelief. Hard copies are available at the assemblyman’s district office. The assemblyman can be reached at 121 North Main Street, Suite 100, Albion, NY 14411, by phone at 585-589-5780, or via e-mail at hawleys@assembly.state.ny.us.