The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce and the Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier are calling the governor’s budget a step in the right direction but expresses concerns that it does little to protect rural communities that are taking a beating in local property taxes. “What is not clear in this budget is how the average taxpayer in New York is going to be protected from cost shifting to the localities,” stated Hans Auer, Chairman of the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce. “Reductions in aid to local governments and cuts in school aid, both components of the governor’s budget, force local municipalities and school districts to turn to property tax revenues to fill budget holes. While we may pay no more taxes directly to the state, the cost shifting strategies in the budget will likely result in increased property taxes to meet local shortfalls."