Reckless Proposal Would Lead to Property Tax Hike & Cuts in Services
Allegany County faces impact of almost $1.3 million, Steuben $2.5 million
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Nick Langworthy introduced his Protect Local Taxpayers Act in response to Governor Kathy Hochul’s Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Proposal that would raid $625 million in Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) funds that have been designated to counties since 2011. Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) and Congressman Brandon Williams (NY-22) are co-sponsors of this bill.
New York’s per capita spending on Medicaid is the highest in the U.S. and more than double the national average. The state offers a “Cadillac plan” of the most expansive Medicaid benefits, but despite requiring counties to pay a significant portion of the bill, the state does not give them any flexibility in what services are offered or how they are administered. The county share of Medicaid is currently $7.6 billion per year, and if Hochul’s plan passes, counties in the 23rd congressional district will face a budget shortfall in the tens of millions. The full break down by county is below.
“This is an outrageous, reckless proposal that would force our already crushing property tax burden even higher,” said Congressman Nick Langworthy. “Counties are already struggling under out-of-control state mandates and this would be the death knell for their ability to provide services. These federal funds are dedicated specifically to help cover local government’s costs, not to be used for Kathy Hochul’s slush fund. The Governor and legislature need to get their budget under control and stop the runaway spending that is forcing New Yorkers to leave this state. We need to stand up in Congress and tell the Governor she can’t raid these federal funds.”
“As a result of one-party Democrat rule in Albany, New York State has some of the highest taxes in the country,” said Congresswoman Claudia Tenney. “Upstate New York families feel the burden of these taxes the most when local counties are forced to absorb and subsidize the soaring cost of New York’s Medicaid programs. Enough is enough! I’m honored to join the Protect Local Taxpayer Act, which will prevent state governments like ours from further shifting our bloated state Medicaid expenses onto our local county governments, driving costs up for residents.”
“The Protect Local Taxpayers Act fixes a longstanding problem in New York State that has created an unjust burden on our local counties. As the governor of New York proposes to hoist billions onto local governments across the state, property taxes soar and services are weakened,” said Congressman Brandon Williams. “I support Rep. Langworthy’s bill to lessen the unfair burden on our local communities and require the state to share its FMAP with localities across Central New York and the Mohawk Valley.”
This legislation would offer a straightforward fix to ensure that our state’s counties, faced with massive obligations under the State’s Medicaid program, are never left with a significant and harmful budgetary impact, such as the one currently proposed by the Governor.
Estimated County Impacted of Proposed eFMAP Intercept
- Allegany County: $1,270,213
- Cattaraugus County: $2,175,544
- Chautauqua County: $4,035,728
- Chemung County: $2,585,982
- Erie County: $26,693,482
- Schuyler County: $481,242
- Steuben County: $2,499,717
To read the bill text, click here.
Congressman Nick Langworthy represents the 23rd Congressional District of New York which includes Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, Schuyler, and Steuben Counties and parts of Erie County. Visit langworthy.house.gov.
