John Clarkson says New York has the most complex government in the world, and it's costly to tax payers.

He spoke to business leaders at the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce.

Clarkson leads a commission charged with finding ways to simplify state and local governments through consolidation.

"Most of these changes at one point or another are going to have to be led by the public. The commission is trying to look at laws to see what kind of changes can be made, what sort of information can be provided," says Clarkson.

Broome County Executive Barbara Fiala has already been working to provide villages with information on how to dissolve.

She says the state could help put more pressure on local governments.

"Broome county is ahead of the game in a lot of these initiatives and what this would do is validate a lot of what we've been talking about either trough studies or information provided," says Fiala.

Clarkson says reducing the tax burden through consolidation would make New York more business friendly.

But people here wonder if the Governor's strategy will succeed.

"Whenever we need to change or modify or create a new law the issue becomes a political football," says Wendy Loomis of Loomis Tax Service.

Consolidation is an issue that's been tossed around for years.

Clarkson says the Governor is committed to leading the state into action.

New York State Commission on Local Government Efficiency and Competitiveness must file its report next year, by April 15th.

The Governor will use the information to decide how the state should proceed.