OWEGO, N.Y. (WHCU) – The Tioga County Legislature opposes part of Governor Hochul’s 2024 budget proposal.

Legislative Chair Martha Sauerbrey says they’re taking action to continue the Affordable Care act enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Program, which shares Medicaid savings with local governments. Sauerbrey says the program is worth over $1,000,000 for property taxpayers in the county. Eliminating it will increase residents’ tax burden or force the county to cut services.

Sauerbrey said the county has worked hard to battle COVID-19 as well as the opioid epidemic and continue to deliver and partially fund countless human services to Tioga County residents in need.

“This proposal will force us to pass these costs on to our local taxpayers, and that will make that goal more difficult to achieve,” said Sauerbrey. “Tioga County along with all the other New York counties and the New York State Association of Counties Organization have asked the Governor to reconsider her Executive Budget Proposal.”