Moratorium on new unfunded state mandates on cities and towns

At a time where state and local tax dollars are scarce, sometimes the greatest contribution state government can make is to do nothing. Far too often, well-intentioned pieces of legislation are enacted without acknowledging that these new laws will require municipal governments to spend additional resources.

During these challenging times, one of the most meaningful ways state government can reduce the burden on local property taxpayers is to support a moratorium on unfunded mandates.

In addition to enacting a moratorium on unfunded municipal mandates, the state legislature should conduct an exhaustive review of existing mandates and consider making modifications to, or the outright elimination of, initiatives that have failed to meet their intended goals.