New York’s government still easily qualifies as dysfunctional, and property taxes remain exorbitant – just last week, updated Census Bureau figures put Westchester as tops in the nation for property taxes paid, with Rockland ranking sixth, and Putnam coming in a merciful 11th. It’s not hard to figure out we’re overtaxed, but now we have more resources to help us look at the hows and whys.
Open Book New York – a Web offering from State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli that gives taxpayers a peek into the financial workings of government – now lists revenue and expenditure information for 3,100 local governments, broken down by cities, counties, fire districts, schools, towns and villages from 1996-2006. You are invited to read it and weep.