In partnership with the Association of Towns of NYS, the Fiscal Policy Institute and Buffalo High Road Policy and Partnership for the Public Good, this project engages Cornell students in exploring the realities local governments in New York State face due to fiscal stress. Passed in 2011, the Property Tax Cap limits the revenue raising ability of all local governments in the state, except New York City. As a result of this austerity measure, local governments from Buffalo to Long Island have scaled back personnel, cutting municipal budgets and deferring important capital expenditures in infrastructure. This engaged research project brings together researchers, civic leaders, local policy makers and students in a research collaboration to explore
the multifaceted problems local governments face. The focus is on crafting a practical way forward, and students examine both the sources of the problems and help in crafting solutions.
- Mildred Warner, Department of City and Regional Planning, College of Architecture, Art and Planning
- Megan Connolly, High Road Policy and Engaged Learning, School of Industrial and Labor Relations
- Community partner: Fiscal Policy Institute
- Community partner: Partnership for the Public Good
- Community partner: Association of Towns of NYS
Providing seed support for a wide range of community-engaged learning projects