Counties Caught in the Senate Gridlock
County leaders from across the state today called on the New York State Senate to reconvene and get back to the people’s business.
“With the challenges facing our state right now, the last thing that our counties and our residents need is gridlock in Albany,” said NYSAC President Sarah Purdy, the Yates County Administrator.
Among the legislation held hostage by the standoff between Senate leadership factions include 36 home rule bills that would extend the current sales tax rates in 36 counties and the City of New York. Failure to pass these bills will result in reductions in local programs and services, staff cuts and property tax increases.
Counties Applying for ARRA Broadband Funding
Dozens of counties are applying for statewide broadband funding through the Federal stimulus package, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). County representatives have participated in conference calls and a Webinar with NYSAC and the State Chief Information Officer/Office for Technology (CIO/OFT), and are developing regional county consortiums aimed at leveraging the Federal assistance.
NYSAC held a June 10th webinar with the CIO/OFT regarding the proposed statewide application. Pictured from left to right at State CIO Dr. Melody Mayberry Stewart, NYS Acting Director of Statewide Interoperability Program Dr. Nancy Perry, NYSAC Executive Director Stephen Acquario and NYSAC Legislative Coordinator Katy Vescio.
To watch a webcast of this webinar or to obtain a Notice of Intent to apply for Public Safety Wireless Broadband Application, please contact the NYSAC offices at 518-465-1473.
NYSAC Webinar Previews New Pension Regulations
The NYS Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) will implement new pension reporting requirements for elected county officials. Recently, NYSAC hosted a webinar that provided an overview of those reporting requirements and addressed questions county officials have as they prepare to implement them at the local level.
To watch a recording of the webinar, click here .
NYSAC and Department of Labor Meet with County Executives
