NASSAU COUNTY CIVIC ASSOCIATION, INC. "The government is us, we are the government, you and I." Teddy Roosevelt

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April 19, 2011

N. Bellmore Library, 1551 Newbridge Road, Bellmore, NY 11710

The number one issue facing Long Islanders is the oppressive level of taxation by all levels of government. One of the cost factors is the size of government. One area in particular is special taxing districts. Long Island has hundreds of these districts which provide various municipal services such as sanitation, water, sewer, fire protection and other related services. The question is, “What can be done to reduce local taxes?”

In an effort to address this specific issue, Residents for Efficient Special Districts have advocated for several reforms which they believe will lead to efficiency, transparency, and accountability resulting in lower taxes. One particular reform that was signed into law allows voters to initiate a referendum to consolidate the various layers of government. Derrick Donnoly from Residents of Efficient Special Districts provided a overview of their ongoing effort to educate voters on the law and their recent efforts to streamline local government.