Counties in the News, January 18, 2017

• By: NYSAC
• On: 01/18/2017 14:27:11
• In: Counties in the News

NYSAC
The County Perspective: Sales Tax, Opioid Abuse, State Budget
The 4th quarter 2016 sales tax revenue data released last week shows continues the trend of slower sales tax growth.
 
When comparing sales tax collections in the 4th Quarter 2016 to the 4th Quarter of 2015:

• 20 counties had negative receipts,
• the percent increase for all counties was +1.9%, and
• the average change per county was +1.2%.

 
When comparing sales tax collections for the full year of 2016 to the full year of 2015:

• 18 counties had negative receipts,
• the percent increase for all counties was +1.4%, and

 
Local Governments Unite to Fight Opioid Abuse
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, a member of a national task force on the heroin & opioid abuse crisis, is traveling to regions across the state to hold informative session on the joint task force findings. The meetings are being coordinated by NYSAC and are hosted by local county leaders. A forum was held last week in Dutchess County and yesterday in Suffolk County.
 
State Budget proposed, among the issues of concern to counties include:

• Enacting early voting and other changes to the boards of elections
• Reforming the indigent legal defense program
• Investing $2 Billion in clean water and waste water infrastructure
• Requiring voter referendums on local shared services and consolidations
• Combatting the heroin and opioid epidemic
• Enacting ethics reforms that require local elected officials to financial disclosure requirements

 
STATEWIDE
Counties in crosshairs with new property tax proposal
 
LONG ISLAND
County gun buyback program coming Jan. 28
 
HUDSON VALLEY
Dutchess County Executive Molinaro says NY Gov. Cuomo's shared-services proposal ignores reality
 
Health Department helps introduce 'Dining with Heart in Orange County'
 
Indian Point Nuclear Power Plants to Close in 2021
 
NORTH COUNTRY
St. Lawrence, Lewis counties see sales tax revenues drop in 2016
 
Clinton County awards bid for Peru bridge replacement
 
Rate hike possible at St. Lawrence County's transfer stations
 
MOHAWK VALLEY
Tedisco details his vision for 2017

CENTRAL NEW YORK
New York gives more than $2 million to fix Auburn, Owasco water systems plagued by toxins
 
FINGER LAKES
Dinolfo directs LDCs to shut down
 
Questions remain regarding pistol recertification
 
WESTERN NEW YORK
Letter: Unfunded state mandates weigh heavily on taxpayers
 
Tackling the epidemic: Health departments forming Opioid Taskforce
 
McNall identifies multiple local 'mandates' in State of the County address
 
January rabies vaccination clinic coming to North Buffalo Community Center
 
WyCo Business Center celebrates a decade of development