The lack of fiscal restraint being displayed in Albany this year may bode well for incumbents seeking re-election in the fall, but elected officials in the state's municipalities may be left to take the blame in 2007.

The Empire Center for New York Policy Tuesday said at least 36 bills to expand pension benefits for public employees have been passed by state lawmakers this year.

If all are signed into law, local and state government costs will rise at least $189 million dollars a year.

One bill offers early retirement to some public employees who have put in 25 years of service, instead of the usual 30.

John Faso, the Republican candidate for governor, points out that early retirement plans are normally designed to save state and local money by reducing the workforce.

But this proposal does not require that the job be eliminated, only that the worker presently holding it get a sweet deal at taxpayer expense.

It's quite clear that a Legislature willing to drive up future costs while giving a lot of lip service to cutting taxes must be looking more closely at November 2006 than any point thereafter.

If Auburn and Cayuga County become saddled with increased costs of sweetened public pensions, the taxpayers of Auburn and Cayuga County will be the ones to pay.

And when their taxes go up, they won't be complaining about it in Albany, they'll be complaining about it at city hall and county Legislature.

State lawmakers sure aren't doing their local counterparts any favors by passing on expenses to already burdensome municipal budgets.

Local elected officials who've got any clout left would be wise to put some pressure on Albany as soon as possible, because November 2007 will be here before they know it.