News

Counties in the News, January 19, 2017

Thursday's news from counties across the state.
NYSAC
Initial Budget Highlights for Counties
The proposed 2017-18 State Budget provides counties with the potential for revenue increases, and adds new costs through mandate expansions or cost shifts from the state.
 
The budget proposal includes provisions designed to increase revenues through the public safety surcharge and NYSAC is advocating that some of those funds be targeted to 9-1-1 emergency dispatch centers.
 
The budget levels the sales tax playing field between “Main Street” retailers, and companies that operate on the Internet.
 
The budget provides counties with new flexibilities to use design-build, which will save counties both time and money on some critical local capital projects.
 
The spending plan proposal includes $2 billion in funds for clean water projects.
 
The budget also includes a provision that would require county leaders to develop referenda on shared service programs among cities, towns, and villages, but it does not include schools or New York City, which when combined, account for 78 percent of all property taxes levied in New York State.
 
The budget recommends consolidating 39 public health appropriations that overlap into 4 pools, and would reduce the funding for each pool by 20 percent. 
 
The budget expands services under the public defense program, but it does not include mandate relief from the current county costs association with the State responsibility of providing indigent defense services.
 
The budget also shifts state costs to the state in child welfare and foster care funding.
 
NYSAC is continuing to analyze the proposed state budget, and will be providing a more detailed summary to county leaders.

 
STATEWIDE

Gov. Cuomo's executive budget to increase education spending by $1 billion (VIDEO)
 

Breaking down Cuomo's executive budget
 
HUDSON VALLEY

County Executive's Corner: Politics Disguised as Populism
 

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network: Statement on Passage of Bill Prohibiting
 

Sullivan County Considers Raising Tobacco Purchasing Age to 21 (Video)
 

Athletes Prepare for Upcoming New York Special Olympic Games (Video)
 
CAPITAL

County acquires NB land for emergency communications tower
 
NORTH COUNTRY

Area gains in state budget plan lauded
 
MOHAWK VALLEY

Hospital, nano money safe in state budget

SOUTHERN TIER

Voice policy thoughts to your lawmakers Thursday
 
CENTRAL NEW YORK

Cayuga County Administrator Suzanne Sinclair to leave post
 

HEALTH CARE: Tompkins faces challenge, chairman says
 

State Fairground additions could include paved parking lots (Video)
 
FINGER LAKES

Judge issues order to end trio of county LDCs
 

Livingston County bridge projects receive $2.7 million
 
WESTERN NEW YORK

Niagara Legislature chairman rips Cuomo county tax plan
 

Vacation time expanded for some Wyoming County employees
 

Southtowns residents rally for ride-sharing
 

Legislature revises County Charter, limits salary increase eligibility
 

NY bridge program will fund 4 projects in Orleans

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