Sen. Patricia A. Ritchie has appointed a local panel to report to a state panel looking to cut mandates.

Unfunded mandates — costly state requirements that towns, villages and cities blame, in part, for their budget woes — are a frequent target of budget-cutters. In the most recent legislative session, legislators passed "The Big Ugly," a bill that promised mandate relief of up to $125 million.

But the work is just beginning. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo is convening a mandate relief task force that will review the requirements.

Mrs. Ritchie will appoint the following local officials to a sort of unofficial sub-panel. The group will come up with a package of recommendations and bring it to the governor's panel.

Members include:

Oswego Town Supervisor Vicki Mullen

Fulton School Superintendent William Lynch

Former St. Lawrence County Legislature Finance Chair Peter FitzRandolph of Canton

South Jefferson Central School Superintendent Jamie Moesel

Lacona Mayor Peggy Manchester

Jefferson County Legislator Scott Gray

Heuvelton School Board President Jack Zeh

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