On Friday Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I- Batavia) announced he will introduce legislation to immediately lift a mandate on counties and provide relief for local taxpayers.

In 2015, the New York State Commission on Legislative, Judicial & Executive Compensation recommended increases in all county district attorneys’ salaries in 2016, and again in 2018. As a result, counties are mandated to pick up the cost, a burden placed directly on taxpayers.

“Our hard-working district attorneys deserve this recognition, the invaluable work that they provide make our communities safer and better places to live,” Hawley said. “Mandating that counties pick up this cost, however, is a direct burden on our middle-class families and I’m glad my bill will provide the proper compensation for our public servants while also protecting the hard-earned money of our taxpayers.”

Hawley’s legislation will require that counties be reimbursed by the state for the entire cost of these increases, including any future increases to district attorney salaries.

“The estimated cost of these salary increases is $1.6 million statewide for 2016. Another increase in 2018 could result in an even greater burden on taxpayers,” Hawley said.

“That’s why this legislation is so important. It provides proper compensation for our district attorneys and protects counties and taxpayers from bearing any further burdens in the already tough economic climate of New York.”