Financial Crisis May Lead to Reform Former Lt. Gov. Lundine Tells Empire Page

ALBANY, NY (11/16/2008)(readMedia)-- Stan Lundine, former lieutenant governor and chairman of the Commission on Local Government Efficiency & Competitiveness (LGEC), believes the current economic crisis may create an environment where it will be possible to reform local government in New York. However, the leadership for reform needs to come from local government Lundine said.

The complete interview is now live on the Improving New York section of the Empire Page.

Lundine was a logical choice to chair the LGEC. Not only is he a former Mayor and six-term Congressman from Western New York to the House of Representatives, but Lundine is also known for his interest in making local government work. In addition to reforms that he instituted in Jamestown and worked on as Lieutenant Governor under Mario Cuomo, Lundine co-chaired two conferences on the subject for the Chautauqua Institution, where he serves as a director.

When asked why some communities resist reform efforts, Lundine explained that people worry that their local identity will be lost by changes in the current system. He noted, however, that there is strong support for change from the business community and that more people running for local office today are in favor of sharing services and consolidation.

Center for Local Government Efficiency Needed

One of the key recommendations of the LGEC was that a Center for Local Government Efficiency be created in the Executive Chamber. While Lundine understands that Gov. Paterson has been busy working on the financial crisis, he believes that such an office is crucial to "encourage bold local action, promote mandate relief and reassure the county and municipal leaders, especially those Upstate, that see restructuring as vital to their region's long-term survival."

The Improving New York section of the Empire Page is devoted to exploring solutions to New York's government-related problems. Coming next will be an interview with John Clarkson, Executive Director of the LGEC, focusing on the recommendations made by the Commission last Spring.

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