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VETO MESSAGE - No. 166
TO THE SENATE:
I am returning herewith, without my approval, the following bill:
Senate Bill Number 5522-A, entitled:
"AN ACT to direct the department of education to study the frequency
of residents who are being assessed library taxes for more than
one library district and to make recommendations to prevent the
double taxation of residents; and providing for the repeal of such
provisions upon expiration thereof"
NOT APPROVED
This bill would direct the Commissioner of the State Education Depart-
ment, in consultation with the Commissioner of the Department of Taxa-
tion and Finance, along with other interested parties, to study the
frequency of New York State residents who are being assessed library
taxes for more than one library district.
While the purpose of the study required by the bill is a laudable
pursuit, the state agencies required to undertake such study are unable
to effectively undertake this mandate without additional funding. The
State Education Department does not have access to the data that would
be required to complete this study, and any action to obtain that data
from local governments would be a costly endeavor. The bill would also
be unduly burdensome on the Department of Taxation and Finance, as the
data required to complete this study is similarly not readily accessi-
ble. Furthermore, this bill would result in significant costs that are
not accounted for within the state financial plan.
This bill is statewide legislation designed to solve a local community
problem, as opposed to simply addressing the specific community
concerns, such as the solution put forth in Chapter 401 of the Laws of
1997. I am therefore constrained to veto this bill.
The bill is disapproved. (signed) ANDREW M. CUOMO
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