An Act Concerning The Sunset And Enactment Of Unfunded State Mandates.
Impact
The enactment of SB00653 could significantly reduce financial strain on municipalities by eliminating mandates that require local governments to provide services or implement programs without accompanying state financial support. Such a change would empower local communities to control their budgets more effectively and potentially ease property tax pressures on residents. By requiring a supermajority for future unfunded mandates, the bill also establishes a higher threshold for implementing costly mandates on local municipalities.
Summary
SB00653, introduced by Senator Kelly, seeks to address the issue of unfunded state mandates imposed on municipalities. Specifically, the bill proposes to sunset all existing unfunded state mandates effective January 1, 2018. The bill also stipulates that any new unfunded mandates would require a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers of the General Assembly to be enacted. This legislation aims to alleviate the burden that such mandates place on local governments, which often struggle to meet financial obligations without state funding.
Contention
Proponents of SB00653 argue that the bill is a necessary step towards securing fiscal independence for local governments, allowing them to prioritize their resources without the constraints of unfunded state directives. However, some critics may contend that eliminating these mandates could hinder the state’s ability to enforce important programs and services at the local level, particularly those aimed at health, safety, and welfare. They may argue that the legislation could lead to a fragmented approach to governance, where critical services may be underfunded or entirely overlooked by local authorities.