After several tries, the Legislature has approved a plan to start taking over some social service programs that were funded by counties.
Supporters say the bill is true property tax relief – it transfers $23 million in costs from county property taxes to the state.
Rep. Robin Weisz (R-Hurdsfield) says those programs amounted to an unfunded mandate for counties.
"I know this assembly chafes every time the feds come and tell us to do something, and they don't give us any money," said Weisz. "We have been doing this for years to our political subdivisions."
Weisz says for many counties, the social service budget is their largest budget item -- greater than roads and law enforcement.
"This is a bg deal," Weisz said.
The bill also contains a study – to determine if the state should pick up all administrative costs for those programs.
