ALBANY – As state lawmakers consider property tax cap proposals, budget negotiations suggest that county taxpayers could be forced to pay over $50 million for public health programs at the county level.

Westchester County Legislator William Ryan, president of the New York State Association of Counties, is critical of the proposal. “State lawmakers can’t in good conscience continue to shift costs down to local property taxpayers, walk away from these programs, and then expect these services to continue at the local level,” he said. “Without this state reimbursement, we simply have no capacity to continue the level of service we currently provide.”

The state is proposing to eliminate all reimbursement for public health programs effective July 1 for services of medical examiner; early intervention service coordination for special needs children under three; visiting nurses for those receiving long long-term care services at home; dental services for children under 21; inspection and review of x-ray and radiation equipment; and environmental health services.