GovernmentLocal Government in
New York
PS 101
Do you REALLY know
where you live?
Layers of our Federal System Government
States:
Counties:
Cities
Townships Villages
nys villages map
Sovereignty recognized by the
US Constitution (FEDERALISM)
States organize themselves
Serve to carry out state
laws/programs (ex: DMV)
Protect quality of life
The Many Layers of Government in New York State
Washington,
DC
Albany,
NY
Utica, NY
(County Seat)
City
Hall
Town
Hall
Village
Hall
PA
RT
ISA
N
Federal X
State X X
County X X X
City X X X X
Township X X X X
NO
N P
AR
TIS
AN
Village X X X X X“City” of Sherrill
text pg 554 X X X “X” X
School Districts - - - - - -
Why so important to know
where you live and who represents you in our republic?
Death and TAXESWhat are the “only two things you can count on in life?”Dr. Benjamin Franklin
But that’s not all….
MORE man-made boundaries for REGULATING and TAXING:
(volunteer) fire districts
water and sewer districts
school districts
street light districts
historic districts
agricultural districts
US postal delivery routes
public library districts
zoning laws
Why so important to know “where you live and who represents you in our republic?”
These wards, called townships in New England, are the vital principle of their governments, and have proved themselves the wisest invention ever devised by the wit of man for the perfect exercise of self-government, and of its preservation.
Thomas Jefferson(Skousen)
Thomas Jefferson Compares
New England with Virginia
Skousen, W. Cleon. The 5000 Year Leap. Washington, DC: National Center for Constitutional Studies, 2009.
Gilmore Girls Town Meeting
Power naturally centralizes:
BUT a govt close to its constituents,
keeps it responsive
to the people’s needs.
govt becomes bloated
A Government Close to the People
Local People for
Local Problems
They are accessible: our family, friends,
neighbors and coworkers
Local elected officials are lay people; have
a strong sense of community and efficacy
Less Waste and Bureaucracy
Local ElOffs Have a Sense of Ownership
Most Efficient/Effective
Level of Government
Easy to Keep Local ElOffs Accountable
Transparent
All meetings are open to the public
Exception: executive sessionsPublic Hearings
Public Comment Periods
Less paperwork/hoops to jump through
Spirit of “voluntarism”
Article 78
legal path for constituents to ask NYS S.
Court to review local govt decisions
Closed mtg. for legal/personnel issues
Constituents speak from the floor
Formal, advertised mtgs to review
pending local govt actions
Death and Taxes
(Graduated) Income tax
Regressive Taxes
Government Sources of Revenue
(1913) 16th Amendment: federal income tax to
address rich v. poor gap caused by Ind Rev
Borrow
Federal: treasury securities TreasuryDirect
State/Local: bond public works projects
Tax
fees, fines, permits, parking, licenses,
sales and property taxes.
Progressive Taxes calculated on ability to pay
Owed regardless of ability to pay
Death and Taxes
1. a progressive tax
The Federal (and NYS) Income Tax
Government Sources of Revenue
2. pay-as-you-go system: withholdings taken from paychecks
Why are refunds (really)?
April 15:
(total withholdings) – (taxes owed (based on income)) = (-)payment or (+) refund
Death and Taxes
Dog, marriage, hunting, building permits, etc.
2. Sales Taxes
Local Government Sources of Revenue
4. Special Districts for Services Provided
fire, light, water, sewer, etc. Paid for by the people living
in a designated area who receive the services.
ALL examples of regressive taxes
3. Licenses, Fees, Permits…
1. Property Taxes
Collected by county: distributed to municipalities (4%)(4.75)
Townships elect (or appoint) assessors: place (“assess” a
market value on every property for property tax calculation
NYS School Districts
1. State Aid
2. Property taxes
The Important Services Local Government Provides
Public Safety
Promoting a Quality of Life
Managing the Municipality’s Budget
needed services
orderly development
The Comprehensive (Master) Plan
1. Protect “quality of life;” safe orderly development
2. Protect town’s identity
3. Protect the property values of the landowners
Planning:
Zones: Designated areas: industrial; agricultural, residential,
commercial, etc.
Look, feel and needed services (infrastructure)
Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA)
how planning and zoning is administered
For orderly and planned development; “a vision” for the town
For landowners to ask for exceptions (variances) to local ordinances
and zoning regulations; work with the Codes Enforcement Officer.
Planning Board:
Zoning Board of Appeals
NIMBY
“Not In My Backyard”
Rights of a few vs. “the common good”
Fifth Amendment
Eminent Domain:
The right of government to take property for public use.
Ex: Highways, public utilities, landfills…
Where and how is a typical problem resolved at the local level?
How is politics becoming a “spectator sport?”
How can the positive characteristics of local
govt also serve as negative characteristics?
A Few Thoughts…
Do the characteristics of local government
today reflect the founders’ vision/