July 27, 2007
2007 Fall Seminar Promises Powerful Program
The 2007 NYSAC Annual Fall Seminar program includes a full slate of standing committee meetings, information-packed educational sessions and plenary activities designed to inspire and motivate county officials.
Sign up today by clicking here or by visiting our Web site at www.nysac.org. (Jeanette Stanziano)
NYSAC to Host Webinar on Preparing for the 2010 Census
Register today to join NYSAC on Thursday August 16th, at 10:00 a.m. for a Webinar, “Why Counting Counts: Preparing for the 2010 Census,” designed to ensure that every New Yorker is counted in the 2010 Census.
The next Census is critical to counties, as it will determine the states’ share of federal funding and how much of it will be allocated to localities; the number of congressional representatives; and the way in which redistricting will occur in state and local legislative districts.
The hour long, web-based session will provide an overview of how the census will be implemented, how local officials can assist in address updates to make sure all of your citizens are canvassed, and how counties can contest population estimates that they believe are inaccurate. (Jeff Osinski)
State Lawmakers Vote to Let Counties Keep Using Lever Voting Machines
This week, the Senate and Assembly passed legislation that would allow counties to continue to use traditional lever voting machines until the state is able to certify new electronic voting machines. This bill repeals provisions that prohibited the use of mechanical voting machines after September 1, 2007.
Despite the 2005 passage of Help America Vote Act (HAVA) reforms that call for the use of new electronic voting machines, the New York State Board of Elections has not yet certified any of these machines for purchase and use, and none are expected to be certified until well after the 2007 General Election.
The new bill, which now goes to Gov. Eliot Spitzer to be signed or vetoed, cancels the deadline and allows county boards of elections to use lever machines until the state can certify new machines. The measure also enables counties to use the accessible voting systems for disabled voters that were purchased last year as required by Federal Court Order.
Nassau County has filed a motion to intervene seeking a declaratory judgment for the continued use of their lever machines in 2007 elections and the 2008 Presidential primary election. Further, the suit calls for the State to hold the County of Nassau harmless for any loss of HAVA funds for voting machine replacement and for any additional expenses imposed upon the counties by the State’s failure to comply with HAVA. (Adriano Bongiorno)
Lawmakers Meet in Special Session to Adopt NYC Traffic Reduction Plan
State Legislators met in special session this week in Albany to pass a measure aimed at relieving traffic congestion in the New York City. The bill was pushed by NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg and will charge tolls on drivers entering Manhattan below 86th Street weekdays between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. The proposal will help the city qualify for up to $500 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The measure establishes a 17-member committee appointed by various state and city officials to study and develop a congestion pricing plan designed to further reduce traffic in the city. The commission has until January 31st to approve a plan and present a detailed report to the Legislature. State lawmakers have until March 31st to act on the report.
NYSAC Leading the Fight for Veto on Bill that Dismantles Welfare Reform
NYSAC has been leading the opposition to a bill that would essentially reverse welfare reform as we know it in New York State. The bill, S.3201, would require local social services districts to focus on training in order for a recipient to achieve a sustainable wage at 185% of poverty. NYSAC’s opposition lies not with the intent of the legislation, but with serious fiscal and programmatic concerns about implementation, as well as the impact on counties’ abilities to meet the federal work participation rate. The Governor has until August 1st to sign or veto the legislation. We urge counties to weigh in with the Governor’s office on this important issue over the next couple of days. Please contact NYSAC with any questions. (Jessica Morelli)
New State Law Helps Reduce the High Cost of Recidivism, Increase Public Safety
With the escalating costs of housing inmates in county jails becoming a growing challenge, a new law that aims to reduce the rate of re-incarceration is welcome news to the New York State Association of Counties. The new measure, Chapter 355 of the Laws of 2007, ensures that individuals released from local and state correctional facilities have access to health care treatment and mental health services—two of the tools they need to stay out of jail and become productive members of their community.
Because Medicaid does not cover anyone in jail or prison, inmates who were enrolled before their incarceration have to reapply after their release, causing a lapse in their coverage. Without immediate access to services, many former inmates have no choice but to go without medical care, even in cases of serious mental illnesses or addiction. NYSAC has long felt that without coverage, former inmates, especially those with addiction and mental health issues, could return to the behavior that leads to their return to jail. Under the new law, a prisoners Medicaid coverage would only be suspended while incarcerated, then have it immediately reinstated once they are released.
NYSAC was actively involved in the passage of this bill and is pleased to see this policy change enacted into law. For more information, please contact the NYSAC offices. (Ken Crannell)
NYSAC News Magazine Features Counties’ Roles in Promoting Tourism
The Summer issue of the NYSAC News magazine, delivered this week, features tourism and the role counties playing in making New York State a destination for millions of visitors each year.
From Niagara Falls to the Hudson River and the St. Lawrence Seaway to Montauk Point on Long Island, our state is home to some of the richest natural treasures in the world. Our counties work hard to promote those treasures and to sustain the great quality of life that New Yorkers enjoy in communities across the state.
Click here to download the magazine, or visit our web site at www.nysac.org. (Mark LaVigne)
Elected County Leaders Sought for Economic Transformation Strategies
The NYS Department of Labor recently issued a Request for Proposal (RFP 13-N) for regional workforce talent pipeline initiatives in New York State. The premise of the RFP is that the State’s economy will improve if a regional approach is taken to design strategies for workforce talent attraction, development and retention. Funding for successful applicants will be in three rounds; $50,000 will be available for each region in the first round, designed to support initial planning activities. Increasing amounts of funding will be available in the second and third rounds. Each region must create a governing body consisting of key stakeholders including chief elected officials, workforce investment boards, business organizations, community colleges and others.
More information on RFP 13-N, including a question and answer section, can be found on the NYSDOL Workforce Development website at www.workforcenewyork.org. Round One RFPs are due September 4, 2007. (Isabelle Andrews)
NY Testifies to Congress on Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Reauthorization
New York testified before congress this week on behalf of local workforce training professionals to advocate for reauthorizing the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), a task that was due in 2003.
Under the WIA, New York State receives $144 million annually for local Workforce Investment activities. Funding is distributed to local workforce investment areas -overseen by Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs)—to fund One Stop Career Centers and other workforce training activities. John Twomey, Executive Director of the New York Association of Training and Employment Professionals NYATEP testified before the House Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning and Competitiveness urging congressional leaders to speed reauthorization.
Although WIA has continued to operate under the original authority of the 1998 law, workforce experts warn that there is a danger to states and localities if reauthorization is delayed further. According to Twomey’s testimony: “the failure to reauthorize WIA has cost the workforce system millions of appropriated dollars since USDOL…In [NYS] even though we spend every single penny as Congress has directed us, we will have $28 million less to provide critically needed training to our workers.” (Isabelle Andrews)
