A new law, the “New N.Y. Government Reorganization and Citizen Empowerment Act,”1 which took effect on March 21, has the potential for revolutionizing local government in New York State. The act sets forth, in a new Article 17-A of the General Municipal Law, the requirements and uniform procedures for the consolidation or dissolution of certain local government entities.2 The advocates of the act undoubtedly believe that it is going to result in citizens, local officials, and counties seeking to reorganize local governments on a level that has not been seen before. Toward that end, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, who developed the act, has a vast amount of information available on a Web site3 about the steps that now can be taken under the new law. Opponents of the act view it as an attempt to erode zoning and other home rule powers4 vested in local governments by the New York State Constitution and Municipal Home Rule Law.

Significantly, the act does not mandate the reorganization of any local government entity where a majority of the citizens are opposed. Thus, it remains to be seen just how many of the more than 10,000 towns, villages, authorities, and special districts throughout the state5 will become the subject of consolidation or dissolution efforts, and whether any such action will achieve savings and reduce local property taxes and other taxes and fees, while enhancing the delivery of services. What is certain, however, is that the tools now are in place for such a process to begin.

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