Assembly Tries to Ease Burden on Local Governments

Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi, D-Forest Hills, announced Tuesday that legislation had passed the state Assembly to relieve onerous reporting requirements that can hamstring local development.

The bill, sponsored by Hevesi in his role as chair of the Committee for Oversight, Analysis and Investigation, would amend state law, eliminating outdated reporting requirements still forced on local governments.

"This legislation is the first of many changes in law and government operations that we in the Assembly will be putting forward," Hevesi said. "Eliminating outdated provisions will relieve municipalities of unnecessary burdens and will allow them to save money by streamlining daily operations, which is a top priority of the Assembly Majority and the Oversight, Analysis and Investigation Committee."

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver — who has been struggling with negative press and a plummeting approval rating — said the bill was a common sense measure to help communities govern themselves.

"Eliminating redundant reporting requirements and other unnecessary activities will offer much-needed mandate relief and allow municipalities to focus on the issues that matter most to our local families and businesses."