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/