Good Governance Begins Close To Home

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Americans need Government that is accountable, transparent, and responsive to its citizens’ needs.

Americans across the country are suffering economically. Food, gas, and home prices are skyrocketing while middle-class paychecks no longer cover the necessities. As dysfunction in Washington, D.C., continues to boil over, the American people are looking toward their state and, increasingly, their local leaders for some much-needed relief. County governments can rise to the occasion and pass laws that exercise good governance and take back power for the good of their citizens.

• Local Taxpayer Protection Act
• Provides relief from rapidly rising property tax bills by requiring a two-thirds vote of the county legislature before raising the tax.
• Requires livestreaming of all public budget meetings and ensures that the residents can make their voices at these meetings.

• Taxpayer Transparency Act
• Requires county governments to maintain a searchable budget database that includes more than just money spent, such as the purpose of each program, expected performance outcomes, audit results, and more.
• Includes the purpose of each taxpayer-funded program as well as expected performance outcomes and audits.

• Savings Incentive Partnership Program
• Addresses backward incentives for agencies that do not save money due to fears of budget cuts.
• Rewards non-managerial public employees if they submit proposals that lead to tangible net savings.

• Homeless Crisis Mitigation Act
• Empowers counties to address the crisis at the border, created by the Biden Administration and exacerbated by cities that welcome illegal aliens.
• Bans all external municipalities from establishing temporary housing for illegal aliens without first establishing a shared services agreement with the county.

These models, promoted by Putnam County, New York, and approved by the American Legislative Exchange Council, are proof that good governance does not have to wait on the federal or state government.

counties can and should take the lead.