Democratic Assembly passes government consolidation bill

ALBANY - The Assembly Monday overwhelming approved a bill from Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to streamline the process of consolidating local governments.

Supporters of the bill said abolishing some of New York's 10,521 governments would reduce property taxes. But critics expressed concern that fewer towns, villages, fire districts and other special districts would lead to diminished services.

Several lawmakers said they planned to introduce legislation to exempt fire districts, if Cuomo's bill is signed into law.

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