July 25, 2008
NYSAC Calls for Collaborative Effort to Tackle State’s Economic Crisis
The New York State Association of Counties this week commended Governor David Paterson and Division of Budget Director Laura Anglin for taking steps to address the state budgetary impact of the state’s deteriorating economy.
“The Governor says that no one is listening. County officials want him to know that not only are we listening, we are also feeling the effect of current economic realities. Counties are experiencing uncertain revenue, skyrocketing fuel and health care costs, and increasing demand for food stamps and other economic assistance,” said Stephen J. Acquario, NYSAC’s executive director. “We are all facing these economic realities and we must combat them together if we are to effectively reduce state and local spending. Otherwise the burden is just shifted to the property tax.” (See Buffalo News story at Governor says state is ignoring grim economic realities.)
In an effort to rein in future spending, the NYS Division of budget Wednesday released a bulletin (linked here: Division of Budget Announces New Process to Better Prioritize State Spending) designed to direct state agency’s to narrow their budgets to core missions in an effort to encourage fiscal responsibility. The bulletin directs agencies to “prepare a comprehensive inventory of every program that you run or oversee—as well as how much you have spent or are projected to spend on these programs for fiscal years 2006-07 through 2009-10. Additionally, you must identify the number of employees (FTEs) dedicated to each of these activities.”
NYSAC is concerned that most of the state’s health and human service programs have a correlating impact on counties because those programs are delivered by county officials and funded, at least in part, by county property taxes.
“Any state cutback or reorganization will have a direct impact on the property taxpayers that we are all trying to protect in this difficult fiscal period. Counties need to be at the table to help prioritize these programs,” said NYSAC President Lucille M. McKnight, an Albany County legislator.
To read the full release visit www.nysac.org/Press%20Room/Economic_Crisis.php.
NYSAC Opens Registration for the Fall Seminar in Niagara Falls
NYSAC is pleased to invite you to attend our 2008 Fall Seminar, which will be held in beautiful Niagara Falls, New York (Niagara County) on September 24th through 26th.
This year's Fall Seminar theme is Navigating the Waters of Tough Financial Times, and will include a broad array of timely programs and sessions designed to support the day-to-day efforts of today's county officials struggling to balance dwindling budgets. NYSAC has developed a comprehensive program of workshops, plenary sessions, training programs and networking opportunities to help county officials explore solutions and share new approaches for cost efficient government. The Seminar will also spotlight a special series of workshops on cost saving approaches to energy sponsored by NYSAC and the New York Power Authority.
Workshops, meals and plenary sessions will take place at the state-of-the-art Conference Center of Niagara Falls and hotel accommodations will be based at the newly renovated Crowne Plaza of Niagara Falls located directly across the street.
Visit www.nysac.org to download a copy of program and registration information.
NYSAC Releases Preliminary 2008 Legislative Summary
The 2008 New York State Legislative Session was one of the most dramatic in recent history. Amid the frenzy in Albany, one consistent theme emerged: that this is the year of the property taxpayer. The Preliminary 2008 NYSAC Legislative Summary, released this week, highlights NYSAC’s legislative activity and provides a summary of bills of interest to county government.
Here’s an excerpt:
“June 24th marked the end of a tumultuous 2008 Legislative Session in New York State, with a grand total of 812 bills passing both the Senate and Assembly. In the closing days, several NYSAC legislative priorities were passed, including a bill that will protect personal identifying information within public documents while simultaneously providing counties with additional non-property tax revenue options. In addition, the Legislature passed bills to provide counties with additional tools to help protect children from abuse and help reduce the impact of vaccine preventable illness, like influenza, on public health.
“While NYSAC can point to many accomplishments throughout this 2008 Legislative Session, the success is overshadowed by an unprecedented 2 percent reduction in aid-to-localities funding included as part of the final State Budget. This cut has had an immediate mid-year negative impact on county budgets and could, unfortunately, result in service reductions and local property tax increases in 2009.”
To download a PDF copy of the summary, visit our website at http://www.nysac.org/Legislative_Action_Center/documents/2008LegislativeSummaryforweb.pdf.
Summer Edition of the NYSAC News Available Today
This summer’s edition of the NYSAC News magazine – focused on government consolidation and shared services – was sent out this week and is available for download on our website.
The magazine includes a ranges of articles on the many ways counties and local governments are working together to deliver programs and services more effectively and cost-efficiently. Among the topics to be covered is the report for the State’s Local Government Commission, a report from the State’s Tax Cap Commission and several examples of shared services at the local level.
To download a PDF copy of the magazine, visit our website at www.nysac.org.
Pelletier Institute
Continuing Education
The Dennis A. Pelletier County Government Institute
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