The panel charged with paring down required spending imposed on local governments by Albany is taking its show on the road, with 10 meetings being held around the state.

The meetings begin Feb. 10 and so far the locations are left pretty vague (one will be held in North Country “East” and another in North Country “West” for example).

But the schedule of road show-style events underscores the administration’s desire to show the mandate relief efforts are now re-invigorated, especially in light of the 2 percent limit on local property tax increases.

“These public hearings will be held across the state giving citizens and local officials the chance to have direct input on our plan to reduce the cost of local government,” Cuomo said in a statement. “I have said repeatedly that government works best when the citizens get involved, and I urge all New Yorkers to participate in this important process.”

The new Mandate Relief Council as it’s now called is smaller and includes mainly Albany insiders, but still led by Cuomo’s top aide Larry Schwartz, a former Deputy Westchester County Executive.

The governor said during his budget address that he is tackling of mandates this year is two-fold: a partial assumption of Medicaid costs and a new Tier VI pension plan for future public workers.

Here’s the schedule:
Feb. 10 – Long Island
Feb. 23 – Central NY
Feb. 24 – Mohawk Valley
Feb. 27 – Hudson Valley
Feb. 28 – Capital Region
Mar. 2 – North Country East
Mar. 8 – North Country West
Mar. 9 – Southern Tier
Mar. 16 – Western NY
Mar. 16 – Finger Lakes

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