Well, they already collect taxes. They then have to take those taxes and provide all the mandated services. What’s left, they can use as they see fit. Unfortunately when the mandated services are paid for, it doesn’t leave much left (thanks Sheldon Silver). So they have to start looking for cuts, and road patrols is one because A, it’s not mandated, and B, several Erie County towns already pay for thier own police forces. So when they need a cut that they hope to get passed this comes up because they know the towns that already pay huge amounts for their own police will support it.