NYSAC - New York State Association of Counties

NYSAC Weekly Wire

Re-caps the week's events, legislative action, and other news that impact county government.

February 5, 2010

President’s Proposed Budget Extends FMAP Increase to Counties

On Monday, President Barack Obama released a proposed federal spending plan that extends the Federal Medicaid Assistance Percentage (FMAP), the federal share of the Medicaid program, for states and counties. The first FMAP increase was part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) and was intended to help states weather the financial crisis.

New York Senator Charles Schumer made sure New York State counties received the increased FMAP because of the financial role we play in the State’s Medicaid program. The increased FMAP has helped our counties stave off property tax increases and mass service cuts and layoffs. Extending the FMAP increase for two more quarters will provide counties with an additional tool to get through this recession.

At the same time, it is important to recognize that New York State and our counties must use this extended federal fiscal assistance to make the structural changes that will realign the way we deliver public programs and services in New York and strengthen our economic position as we emerge from this recession. The only way that our state will rebound is to foster the creation of a private sector economic base that will attract business, jobs and families to communities across the state.

Senator Schumer has pledged to lead this measure through the upcoming Federal budget-making process.

Countdown to Conference: 900 County Officials to Descend on Albany

Local leaders, state policy makers and lawmakers will come together for three days next week to address and discuss a range of issues impacting the fate of New York State and its communities.

Nearly 1,000 county government officials will convene in Albany at the Desmond Hotel and Conference center from Monday, February 8th to Wednesday, February 10th. The purpose of the statewide meeting is to understand the economic condition of New York State and the impact on county government operations across the state.

Public officials will also:

• call for more strategic economic development
• reforms to the state university operational structure,
• discuss the extraction of natural gas from Marcellus Shale,
• raise concerns about the plight of New York's dairy farmers, and
• address the importance of the upcoming Census population count.

Speakers
Monday Plenary Dinner:

• State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli and
• Assembly Republican Leader Brian Kolb

Tuesday Opening Plenary

• Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver
• Lieutenant Governor Richard Ravitch
• Senator Tom Libous

Tuesday Luncheon Plenary

• SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher
• Senator Andrea Stewart Cousins, Chair of the Senate Local Government Committee

Look for more information on our website at www.nysac.org.

Pelletier Institute to Offer Orientation Session for Newly Elected and Appointed County Officials

The Pelletier Institute, a joint educational program of NYSAC and Cornell University, will be offering its annual Orientation Session for Newly Elected and Appointed Officials on February 8, 2010, as part of the NYSAC Legislative Conference at the Desmond Hotel and Conference Center in Albany. Over 300 newly elected and appointed county officials have attended this orientation session since its inception.

The 7 hour session provides those new to county service, and those existing county officials looking to brush up on their knowledge and skills, with an overview of the complex issues they will face as county leaders. For further information and registration materials visit the NYSAC website at www.nysac.org or contact Jeff Osinski, NYSAC Research Director by calling the NYSAC Office.

January  Economy Watch:Hopeful Signs, but Still No Indications of Sustained Recovery or Employment Growth

The January 2010 edition of the NYSAC Economy Watch continues to show hopeful signs of economic recovery while private sector jobs continue to decline. Unemployment, before seasonal adjustment, increased in every county but one (which remained stable) in December as employers began to reduce seasonal holiday hires.

For the full January 2010 Economy Watch, Click Here

Agency to charge area counties for maintaining Hudson River water level

The public benefit corporation operated by the state that controls water levels on the Hudson River is looking to shift millions of dollars in operating costs to local counties, leaving them confused and pressured to pay a bill they were unaware existed.

Rensselaer County Executive Kathleen Jimino was informed Thursday that the county is to pay $781,400 by the end of June to the Hudson River-Black River Regulating District, created by the state Legislature long ago to prevent flooding along the Hudson. She said she will pursue every avenue to avoid the new expense.

In 2008 a court decision ruled that the agency could not collect funds from downstate hydroelectric companies. That decision left a funding shortfall of $4.4 million, which will now be raised by charging area counties directly. Among the local counties expected to be charged are Saratoga and Albany, who can expect to pay $1.7 million each. Warren and Washington counties will be expected to pay roughly $171,000 and $290,000, respectively.

Program Provides Discount Vision and Hearing Benefits to Participating Counties

This week NYSAC announced a major expansion of its endorsed discount prescription card program, which has been adopted by 29 New York counties. The expansion includes discounts on hearing aids, eye glasses, eye exams and Lasik surgey—now included under the same discount prescription card program.

“New Yorkers in these counties have saved over $18 million for prescriptions. Now they will be able to save on hearing aids, contacts, glasses and even Lasik eye surgeries,” said NYSAC President Tom Santulli, Chemung County Executive.

The NYSAC partnership program with ProAct provides residents a discount prescription card that lowers the cost of drugs for New Yorkers without health care insurance or have inadequate prescription coverage.

For more information, visit: www.NYRxDiscountCard.com.

NYSAC Drivers’ Safety Program Promotes Smarter Drivers and Safer Roads

The New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) and the New York Safety Program today announced a major program to promote driver safety in New York State.

“Each year we have more and more cars on our roadways and we have an obligation to do what we can to improve driver safety and reduce the number of motor vehicle accidents,” said NYSAC President Thomas J. Santulli, Chemung County Executive. “That’s why we have expanded our program so that more New York drivers have the tools to prevent needless accidents and save money on their insurance costs.”

The new 6-hour defensive driving class was recently approved by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for online participation. Now county employees and their families can take the course anytime from anywhere over the World Wide Web. They have one month to complete the 6-hour class once they register. For more information or to register for the course, visit http://www.nysac.org/nysafetyprogram.php.

March 15th Rally Day for American Farmland Trust

On March 15, 2010, American Farmland Trust is organizing a lobby and rally day to put agricultural issues on the forefront of lawmaker’s minds. The agricultural industry is a key element of New York’s overall economy and is the principal economic force in many areas of the state. Farms are small businesses that employ thousands of New Yorkers while purchasing goods and services from countless hardware stores, veterinarians, contractors, banks, equipment dealerships and other local businesses across the state. 

New York agriculture produces the milk, apples, grapes, vegetables and other raw products that are used by food processors of all sizes across the state. Combined, these farm and food businesses generate over a $23 billion a year economic impact in New York, while paying millions of dollars in local property taxes to school districts, towns and counties across the state.

To learn more about the March 15th lobby day, or to join American Farmland Trust in their efforts, please visit American Farmland’s website.

Next Week

NYSAC’s Legislative Conference February 8-10 at the Desmond Hotel in Albany 

CNFNY’s Winter Seminar February 8-10 at the NYSAC offices in Albany