Counties Welcome Governor Hochul To Annual Conference

As its first member in the organization's 98-year history to go on to become governor, the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) was pleased to welcome Governor Kathy Hochul to address hundreds of county leaders and officials at their annual Legislative Conference in Albany.  



“We are honored to welcome Governor Hochul to our conference and appreciate her taking this opportunity to meet directly with the local officials who are often on the front lines of implementing policies crafted by the state,” said NYSAC President Martha (Marte) Sauerbrey. “As the first woman and the first member of our association to become our Governor, she is bringing a fresh perspective to the role, and we look forward to continuing to work with her to make New York State work better for all our residents.”
 
“The NYSAC Legislative Conference is an invaluable opportunity for leaders at the local and state level to meet and discuss constructive solutions to the challenges facing our shared constituents,” said Marcus Molinaro, President of the NYS County Executives Association. “We are quite pleased that Governor Hochul is the first sitting Governor in nearly 10 years to take this opportunity to meet face to face with local leaders, and while we may not always agree on every policy or decision, we appreciate the mutual respect she brings to the table.”
 
Prior to becoming New York's 57th Governor, Kathy Hochul was the Erie County Clerk from 2007 to 2011. County clerks in New York State are elected officials with a wide range of duties including providing files, records, and indexes of papers in legal actions and proceedings before county and state supreme court. The clerk's office also records deeds, mortgages, and liens; files maps, financing statements, and military discharges; processes pistol permits and passports; and acts as the agent of the commissioner of motor vehicles to issue registrations and licenses.
 
“To truly understand the incredible array of services that local governments provide, as well as the challenges and responsibilities, you have to experience it firsthand,” said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario. “Governor Hochul has that experience, and it shows in the renewed sense of cooperation that we have had between the State and local governments since she became Governor. We're incredibly proud to welcome her to our conference and recognize her as the first NYSAC member to rise to the highest office in our great state.”