"It eliminates flexibility and options," Witynski said. "We have to come up with efficiencies and pay for the services that both businesses and citizens want and expect municipalities to provide. Whether it's libraries open every day including the weekends, streets plowed right away or parks kept in great condition, everyone wants all those things. It's tough to agree on how to pay for them."

Regardless of which party holds the majority, Witynski said he doesn't anticipate any regranting of local authority on property tax levies anytime in the near future. He doesn't think the political will exists. On other issues, he thinks it will depend more on the party in power.

He noted that had the Democrats been in power, they likely would have prevented the state's new landlord-tenant bill from becoming law. While supporters said the measure gives landlords more leverage in dealing with tenants, opponents criticized it for curbing tenants' rights and local control. However, Witynski was quick to add that a Democratic majority wouldn't be a magic bullet for local authority.