From TimesUnion.com:

The “New N.Y. Government Reorganization and Citizen Empowerment Act” would allow people to easily petition for a vote on dissolving entities such as towns and villages as well as special fire, sewer and water districts. Supporters of the bill claim the sheer number of entities contributes to the state’s tax burden.

Senate Democratic majority spokesman Austin Shafran said the bill is expected to pass when it comes up for a vote later today. The Assembly passed the measure Monday. Gov. David Paterson has spoken in favor of consolidation, meaning the bill would likely be signed if senators approve the measure.

If the bill becomes law, the real political winner will be Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, who has spent months campaigning for the legislation. Cuomo can legitimately claim that he’s managed to succeed where politicians and policy advocates have failed for decades even if the bill’s passage results in the dissolution of just a few local districts.

Read the Rest…