2007 NYSAC Press Releases
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County Executive Meet with Congressional Delegation in Washington
Rensselaer County Executive Kathleen Jimino and county executives from across the State met yesterday with the Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and the New York State Congressional Delegation in Washington.
The county executives focused on how the federal government and New York State counties can work together to deliver more effective programs and services for the people of New York State. They focused on federal-county partnerships towards health care, job training and economic development and voting rights.
“As we continue our work to improve the programs and services we provide in our community, it is imperative that we work closely with those who represent us in our nation’s Capitol. Afterall, many of the programs and services we provide are mandated by the Federal government,” said _________.
Washington. New York State delegationWe serve the sam The Medicaid Cap provided immediate relief to county taxpayers and was a direct result of an effective state-county partnership designed to respond to our biggest challenge—escalating property taxes,” said Thomas J. Santulli, president of the NYS County Executives Association and Chemung County Executive.
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As public officials, we have the distinction and privilege of having our purpose come with our office. When we arrive at work each morning, we know fundamentally what we have been charged to do. As public officials in New York State, we serve a common purpose and we serve the same constituency.
The county leaders asked the federal representatives to consider the following issues as they proceed with their work in Washington this year.
• Modifying the Medicaid Upper Payment Limit Cap to support the unique services that County Nursing Homes provide as a safety net in our communities.
• Reauthorizing the Workforce Investment Act to continue job training and economic development initiatives in New York State to keep us competitive in the global marketplace.
• Ensuring that Federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) funding is provided to New York State in the event that we have to purchase new electronic machines to implement the new voting standards.
The state-county partnership that was established to Cap the local share of Medicaid costs was also a catalyst for enacting Medicaid cost containment measures that had been traditionally blocked by the legislative process. Although the local Medicaid Cap does not completely shield counties from Medicaid growth, the positive results demonstrate that a strong state and county partnership can positively address other fundamental inequities in state/local fiscal policy.
“As the administrative arm of the state, counties are where the rubber hits the road in New York State. We deliver state services locally, and efforts to reduce local property taxes and county government operating costs should involve an active collaboration between counties and the state,” said Thomas J. Santulli, president of the NYS County Executives Association and Chemung County Executive. “Working in partnership we can accomplish great things for the future of all of our communities.”
County executives attending the meeting included:
Greg Edwards, Chautauqua County
Kathleen Jimino, Rensselaer County
Steve Levy, Suffolk County
Andrew Spano, Westchester County
Senator
Hillary Clinton
Charles Schumer
Jerry Nadler
Bishop
Israel
The New York State County Executives Association is an affiliate of the New York State Association of Counties, whose mission is to represent, educate and advocate for Member Counties and the thousands of elected and appointed county officials who serve the public.
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