CHENANGO COUNTY – A proposal in New York State Governor David Paterson’s budget calling for a freeze on tax payments for state-owned lands would have “a devastating effect” on a number of towns in Chenango County.

The proposal, before the state’s legislature, would essentially end the state’s century-old commitment to steward its geographic assets for future generations without placing undue burden on host communities.

Nearly 50 percent of NYSDEC Region 7 forest lands are located in Chenango County, as well as 4,600 acres in the Pharsalia Wildlife Management Area. Chenango County is also the home to the South Otselic Fish Hatchery and the former Pheasant Farm in Sherburne.

With a motion supported by the supervisors from the towns of Pharaslia, German and Lincklaen, members of the Chenango County Finance Committee voted unanimously to pass up a resolution to the full Board of Supervisors calling on state lawmakers to reject the proposal and to continue the current system of tax payments on state-owned land.