Gov. Andrew Cuomo is pushing a plan that he says could cut property taxes in New York — by requiring county leaders to develop a cost-cutting plan and letting voters decide whether it’s a good idea. As governor, Cuomo does not directly control local property taxes. But he wants to require county executives to do something about the state’s rates, which are highest in the nation. Under his plan, the county leaders would develop cost-cutting blueprints and put them on the ballot so voters could decide whether they want the reductions or not. “The citizens can vote yes or no,” said Cuomo. “And the citizens can tell you whether they think you’re doing a good enough job of spending their money or not.” Cuomo said the cost-cutting plans should focus on eliminating duplicative services and consider joint purchases of expensive equipment, like snowplows and ambulances. The governor spoke in Westchester County, where there are 425 separate local governments, he pointed out. “It is insanity,”
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