As local elected officials in New York state, the one thing we always hear from our constituents is, "Cut my property taxes!" Fortunately, in New York, because of the last election, we have a solution that finally has a serious chance at becoming law: The NY Health Care Act. It will not only provide health care coverage for everyone, but will also enable the largest property tax cut ever in the state.

During this past election season, the availability and affordability of health care coverage was perhaps the top issue for voters nationwide. The NYHCA is the state version of single-payer health care (sometimes called "Medicare for all"), and this bill will enable the taxes we pay to cover all of our health care.

Experts have weighed in, and even conservative ones who have done their research show that the NYHCA will save money on health care costs overall in New York. And while it is true that taxes and the state budget would increase, the NYHCA will also lead to huge cost savings.

For the vast majority of us, these taxes would be more than offset by massive cuts in property taxes, the ending of co-pays, deductibles, and other private costs, as well as the reduction of business costs and headaches of paying for and dealing with health insurance.

During the gubernatorial campaign, when discussing health care, the candidates seemed to all agree on one point: The high cost of health care to municipalities is the major driver of property taxes. Local governments foot the bill for employee and retiree health care costs, and county taxpayers also pay a local share of Medicaid. For example, in Albany County, the combined cost of those health programs — $116 million — is more than the entire $92.5 million tax levy. The city of Albany's $28 million cost represents about half its tax levy. For the city school district, health programs cost $26 million, about one-fourth of the tax levy.

Without these health care costs, most of that money would be immediately available to reduce property taxes (and thus also increase property values).

For example, even taking into account payroll tax increases, Albany County could eliminate its entire county tax and Albany City taxpayers could see a 30 percent overall cut in property taxes, rising eventually to 40 percent as municipal finances stabilize.

And we'd all be covered for health, dental, addiction, psychiatric and long-term care regardless of where we work and regardless of any pre-existing conditions.

Business would benefit as well. Ask any business person about the one cost that does nothing to earn their business a profit, and in fact only hurts their bottom line. Invariably that answer is health care costs.

The bottom line is that although there is an increase in taxpayer cost to implement NYHCA through a higher payroll tax and other taxes like stock transfer taxes, the vast majority of taxpayers overall would realize immediate savings from cuts in property taxes and reduced direct health care costs, along with overall reduced costs to most businesses.

So if we want to cut our property taxes, increase our property values, save a lot of money and never have to worry about our health care coverage again, tell your elected officials to support the NYHCA. We'll all be glad you did.

Darius Shahinfar is the Albany city treasurer. Daniel P. McCoy is the Albany County executive.