News

Counties in the News, December 7, 2016

Wednesday's news from counties across the state
NYSAC
Reasons for Governor Cuomo to Sign Indigent Defense Reform Legislation
  1. Mandate Relief
Indigent Legal Defense is a state responsibility that was shifted to counties in the 1960's. It is one of nine state mandated programs that consume 100% of county property taxes collected statewide (outside of NYC). The bill that will be sent to the Governor this month (S.8114 DeFrancisco/A.10706 Fahy) would provide for a multi-year state takeover of county indigent defense costs.
 
  1. Balanced Justice
The bill will cap the number of cases that each public defender can work on, enabling them to provide more focused representation to each defendant. It also requires counsel at arraign, when the accused is charged and first stands before a judge.
 
  1. Avoid future litigation costs
In 2006, five counties and the State of New York were sued by the NYS Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), which claimed indigent criminal defense services were underfunded and failed to meet constitutionally-required standards. A 2014, the Hurrell-Harring case was settled with state-funded expansion of indigent defense services in the five counties. The bill that will be sent to the Governor this month would shield the other 52 counties from similar ACLU lawsuits.
 
For more information, visit our website at https://www.nysac.org/indigentdefense.
 
STATEWIDE
State must ensure justice for all: Editorial
 
NY Gov. Cuomo urged to sign bill funding public defenders
 
LONG ISLAND
Bellone Announces Plans for Dredging of Suffolk County Waters
 
HUDSON VALLEY
Rockland lawmakers adopt budget with ‘modest' tax cut
 
Local Officials Encourage Public to Speak Out Against Barge Anchorage Plan
 
Neuhaus presents $2,601 check to American Cancer Society
 
‘Dining with Heart in Orange County' Launched
 
County invites businesses to 'return the favor'
 
CAPITAL
Saratoga County Supervisors vote to override state tax cap
 
NORTH COUNTRY
State makes tourism promotion money available for group of Adirondack towns
 
Essex County passes tethering law
 
Frontier Town back in the spotlight
 
MOHAWK VALLEY
Water agreement still under review

SOUTHERN TIER
County to offer payroll software to Horseheads
 
FINGER LAKES
Buyer in the offing for former Eagle Mountain site in Bristol
 
WESTERN NEW YORK
Erie Co. to spend $100K to bring Uber/Lyft to WNY
 
Cable company merger will fill in many gaps for high-speed Internet in Orleans
 
Erie County ups ante in crackdown on deadbeat property owners owing $1.8M                                                                                                                                
Erie County sees rise in Medicaid usage due to ACA, report finds
 
Top County Positions to be Filled by Year's End

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