May 16, 2008
NYSAC supports legislation to return monies to snowmobile trail fund
As part of the 2008-09 State Budget, $1 million in funding was swept from the New York State Snowmobile Trail Development and Maintenance Fund to help close the budget gap facing the State General Fund. The funds, which are collected as part of State snowmobile registrations, are supposed to be used to maintain and develop snowmobile trails across New York State.
This week, legislation that will return those funds moved forward in the Senate with strong support from NYSAC. The measure, S.8144 / A.11009, sponsored by Senator Joe Griffo and Assemblymember RoAnn Destito, would direct the State Comptroller to return that public money to the Fund.
“Despite the characterization by the State that these are ‘unused funds’ whose loss has no impact on services to the public, this action will cause a significant drop in funds available for trail maintenance and development this coming snowmobile season,” said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario.
Snowmobiling plays a vital role to rural communities as part of their efforts to grow their local economy by bringing in millions of dollars in tax revenue from tourist. (Pete Savage)
Statewide Meetings Designed to Improve Reentry and Reduce Recidivism
This week, the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, the Division of Parole, the Department of Health and the Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives jointly announced a series of statewide meetings to address state and local issues regarding adults under supervision and best practices to promote the successful reentry of these individuals into the community.
These state agencies plan to discuss innovative new policies and directions for the successful management of adults under supervision, in addition to the benefit and eligibility of programs such as cash assistance and food stamps for individuals in these populations. These agencies will also review child support programs and Medicaid eligibility.
NYSAC believes this is a positive first step in addressing the reasons why offenders recidivate and is pleased to see that New York State has invited all state and local stakeholders to the table to address these issues.
The day-long meetings will be held in the following regions over the next two months. Click here to download a registration form.
- June 10, 2008 -- Buffalo
- June 11, 2008 -- Syracuse
- June 18, 2008 – Elmira
- June 25, 2008 – White Plains
- July 10, 2008 -- Albany
- July 16, 2008 – Lake Placid
(Adriano Bongiorno)
Looming NYC OTB shut down spurs other OTBs to action
In March, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced that he would be closing down NYC OTB and laying off the corporation’s 1,500 employees because of ongoing annual operational deficits.
The six state OTBs were created in part to support local governments but that stated goal is being drastically undercut. OTBs provide counties with a percentage of the profits, residual, after all of the other costs are paid. Legislative action in the past decade has changed the funding structure in ways that have reduced the annual residuals realized by the sponsoring municipalities. In case of NYC OTB, the situation has become so severe that the horse race betting operation is expected to run out of money and be closed by the middle of June.
In its efforts to maintain promote all non property tax revenue, NYSAC supports New York City and all other affected counties who receive revenues from these Off Track
Betting Corporations. NYSAC will continue to represent county interests in this matter. (Mark LaVigne)
NYSAC participates in the Taylor Law panel
NYSAC Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario this week participated in a Taylor Law panel discussion that was part of a statewide conference marking the 40th anniversary of the Taylor Law. The panel tackled many of the issues facing the relationships between New York’s governments and public employee unions. It included representatives from schools, local governments and public sector unions. The moderator was Steven Greenhouse, a labor and workplace correspondent for The New York Times and author of The Big Squeeze.
Acquario informed attendees of the pressing issues facing counties including flat revenues and rising costs, both of which affect ongoing collective bargaining efforts.
The three day conference was sponsored by the New York State Public Employment Relations Board (PERB).
Orleans County’s Chuck Nesbitt tapped to lead county managers’ association
Orleans County Chief Administrative Officer Chuck Nesbitt was elected today as the president of the New York State Association of County Administrators and Managers by his peers from across the state at the Association’s annual meeting in Syracuse.
As president, Mr. Nesbitt will lead and facilitate the efforts of the association to advance the interests of counties and county property taxpayers.
Call for articles for the Summer 2008 issue of the NYSAC News magazine
The focus of the next issue of the NYSAC News magazine is focused on streamlining public services at the local government level. Does your county have a story to tell? Or an anecdote to share with colleagues in other counties?
Submissions should be between 750 to 1,000 words and include a 300 dpi photograph of the author or an appropriate photograph to accompany the text. Articles must be sent to mlavigne@nysac.org by June 13, 2008.
Save the date for the NYSAC Fall Seminar
The NYSAC Fall Seminar will be held September 24-26, 2008 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County.
Upcoming Next Week
The Senate and Assembly are scheduled to be in session on Monday through Wednesday.
Tuesday, May 20 at 11:30 a.m. – NYC and representatives from than 1400 local governments will hold a press conference on collateral source legislation that would put an end to double dipping of public funds in the case of personal injury awards.
