News

The County Perspective for July 11, 2018

Opioid PSA from Counties and Coroners, Drug Take-Bake Legislation, Supreme Court Decision, and more.

NYSAC Update

NYSAC Releases 2018 Legislative Session Summary

Between January 3, 2018, and June 20, 2018, the Legislature passed a total of 2,655 bills. The Senate passed 1,542 and the Assembly passed 1,112. Of these bills, 640 were approved by both houses, with 527 being approved in the June, the last month of the legislative session.
NYSAC has reviewed these legislative items, and published a summary report that highlights measures that have a direct or indirect impact on county government operations. The report includes a brief description of each bill where it is in the legislative process.
The report includes highlights from the 2018-19 State Budget, legislative actions outside of the budget, and measures passed during the remainder of the session. There is however speculation the Governor may call the legislature back to Albany to passive specific items such as; sports betting, local revenue extenders, and speed cameras.  To view the document, please click here.

Summer Webinar Series for County Officials
Stay up to date on the evolving policies and programs impacting your county with NYSAC's Summer Webinar Series.
Watch your inbox for registration information about the following webinars:
 
  • Raise the Age Implementation - July 24
  • Update on Legislation for Governor's Consideration - August 14
  • Citizen Engagement: Presentation with NACo- August 28

Save the Date: Sept 24-26, NYSAC Fall Seminar in Rochester

The NYSAC Fall Seminar is just a few months away! Join hundreds of county delegates from across the state for cutting edge workshops that will keep you ahead of the curve on emerging local issues. The agenda and registration information will be arriving in mailboxes this summer. Save the date and encourage your colleagues in county government to do the same!


PSA from Counties and Coroners Urges New Yorkers to See the Signs of Opioid Addiction

As the opioid crisis continues to devastate communities across New York State, a cross section of county leaders have come together to create a campaign to bring awareness to the signs of opioid abuse.

NYSAC has partnered with the New York State Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners (NYSCCME) to create a hard-hitting advertisement that will run on television stations throughout New York State. View the PSA here.
A comprehensive website, ny.seethesignssavealife.org, was created to anchor this campaign and is a resource for anyone affected by this fast-growing epidemic.
We encourage NYSAC members to distribute a link to this powerful video widely - on your county website, on social media, at county events, and as PSAs on local television stations. Share it broadly and frequently: the message of "See the signs, save a life" bears repeating, and it will indeed save lives.

NYSAC News Magazine - Call for Articles 

The Fall 2018 issue
 of NYSAC News magazine will
 focus on Technology and Innovation. Topics will include:
    • Emerging technologies for local governments
    • Stories of counties implementing technology solutions
    • Innovative county programs
    • Cybersecurity
    • Federal updates
    • County policy priorities
    • Other issue updates
NYSAC is now accepting articles related to these topics as well as other county services and functions. Articles should be 500-750 words and can be sent to Nicole Correia (ncorreia@nysac.org) by September 15. Submissions should include an author headshot as well as any supporting charts, photos, or images (these should be high res files - 300 dpi, jpg, tif, or eps file format). For more details on contributing an article, visit our website.
The current issue of NYSAC News magazine has arrived in member mailboxes, and 
is available online, here. We have a new look, and this issue is packed with important information.
More News from NYSAC:

STATE UPDATE

Drug Take Back Legislation Signed Into Law

NYSAC supported S.9100 (Hannon)/A.9567 (Gunther), regarding a statewide drug take back program for the safe disposal of drugs, that was signed into Law on July 10 by Governor Cuomo. The new law requires drug manufacturers to develop and finance a statewide program to collect and dispose of unused and unwanted pharmaceuticals. New York would be the fourth state to require manufacturers to fund and safely manage drug take back.
The legislation will support the efforts of local law enforcement to combat prescription drug abuse and help to keep pharmaceuticals out of our drinking water.

DEC Releases Draft Flood Risk Management Guidance 

This week, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) released two flood-risk management guidance documents for public review. The documents were developed under the Community Risk and Resiliency Act (CRRA), which requires applicants for some State permits, State funding, and certain facility-siting regulations to consider future physical climate risk due to sea-level rise, storm surge, and flooding.
DEC is accepting written public comments through August 20, 2018 and will be hosting three public information and comment meetings to provide the public opportunities to learn about and comment on these guidance documents. Click here for more information.

FEDERAL UPDATE

 

Supreme Court Rules Regarding Public Sector Union Dues

On Wednesday, June 27, 2018 the United States Supreme Court ruled in the matter of Janus v. AFSCME.  At issue is the requirement of dues from government employees who are nonunion members but are required to pay union dues, and who receive the benefits of union negotiated contracts. This practice occurs in two dozen states, including New York. Even prior to this case it was settled that nonunion member employees had the right to opt out of the portion of dues provided for the union's political activities, but still had to pay agency fees.
In a 5 to 4 decision based on First Amendment grounds, the High Court held governments and public-sector unions may no longer extract agency fees from nonconsenting employees. Justice Alito states in the majority opinion- "Neither an agency fee nor any other payment to the union may be deducted from a nonmember's wages, nor may any other attempt be made to collect such a payment, unless the employee affirmatively consents to pay. By agreeing to pay, nonmembers are waiving their First Amendment rights, and such a waiver cannot be Presumed."
To read the case in full please see www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/17pdf/16-1466_2b3j.pdf

TRAINING AND GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

  

$30 Million Available to Protect NY Dairy Farms

Governor Cuomo has announced $30 million in farmland protection opportunities for New York's dairy farms. This is in addition to the $38 million available through round sixteen of the Farmland Implementation Grants Program (FPIG). In total, New York State is investing nearly $70 million in farmland protection across the state.

The State has issued a Request for Applications (RFA) for farmland protection grants of up to $2 million from eligible entities, which include municipalities, land trusts, county agricultural and farmland protection boards, and State Soil and Water Conservation Districts. There is no application deadline. All farmland protection project proposals must be submitted electronically through the New York State Grants Gateway at www.grantsgateway.ny.gov. Click here for additional information and the RFA.
 

$275 Million Available for Clean Water Infrastructure Projects

The New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) is now accepting applications for the Water Infrastructure Grants Program and the Intermunicipal Water Infrastructure Grants Program. Grants of up to $25 million are available for local wastewater and drinking water infrastructure projects.
Applications are available here and must be submitted along with any required supporting documentation to NYSWaterGrants@efc.ny.gv by September 7th, 2018. EFC and the State Department of Health (DOH) will evaluate applications based on several factors, including protection of water quality, benefits to public health, and readiness to proceed expeditiously.

Living on Livability: Innovation for an Age Friendly New York

AARP New York will host a two day summit on livable communities in Syracuse from August 2-3, 2018, and county officials are invited to participate.
New York is the first state in the nation to join the Network of Age-Friendly Communities. Forward-thinking communities are increasing their focus on livability, walkability, community health, economic development and how these issues impact people of all ages. As New York State government, local governments, community partners, innovators from academia, planners and the aging advocacy network chart their course in livability, AARP New York is pleased to convene leaders in this work for the second annual Leading on Livability Summit on August 2-3, 2018, at the Crowne Plaza Syracuse.
 
AARP New York will convene these leaders to share best practices and innovative ideas toward a common goal: making communities across New York desirable places to live for people of ALL ages.
The AARP Network of Age Friendly Communities, an affiliate of the World Health Organization, is committed to putting people first in their plans and priorities. The program's main tenets are the eight domains of livability: Outdoor spaces and buildings; transportation; housing; social participation; respect and social inclusion; civic participation and employment; communication and information; and community support and health services.
 
Already, AARP New York counts 17 municipalities as Age Friendly. These communities vary in size, demographics, and many other aspects. These communities have reached out to academic partners and philanthropic organizations to support and inform their Age-Friendly work. Their innovative approaches have yielded effective solutions to community problems.
 
For more information, please contact Randy Hoak at rhoak@aarp.org .


Cybersecurity Grants for Municipalities
 

The NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services has launched a new Cyber Security Grant Program for New York's counties and local municipalities. 
Eligible organizations can apply for up to $50,000 to enhance their cyber security posture.  Funding will come from the 2017 State Homeland Security Program federal grant.
Key information is below.  Please note that DHSES will host a webinar about the program on July 2:
  • Program website: http://www.dhses.ny.gov/grants/targeted.cfm
  • Eligibility: All New York State counties as well as local units of government to include cities, towns, and/or villages
  • Informational webinar: July 2, 2018, 11 a.m. (will subsequently be posted on the program website)
  • Deadline for written questions: August 3, Noon
  • Deadline for applications: August 7, 2018, 5 p.m.

NYSAC Videos & Podcasts

Our library of videos and podcasts on the issues impacting counties provides an easy way for county leaders to stay up to date on policy and program 

innovations at a time that's convenient for you.

 

Solar Project Helps Residents in a Dozen Counties Lower Bills

While gas prices are on the rise, some residential bills in a dozen counties could go down thanks to a project that enables homeowners and renters to add communal solar energy to their existing electricity service and save 10% 
without switching from National Grid or any cost to the homeowner or renter.
 
Common Energy operates under NY State's Community Solar program, which is part of the Governor's Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) program.

For more information on how residents in Essex, Warren, Hamilton, Fulton, Saratoga, Washington, Montgomery, Albany, Schenectady, Schoharie, Rensselaer, and Columbia can take advantage of this program or to set up a 15-minute demonstration, contact Meredith Galante, Common Energy's Vice President of Outreach, at meredith@commonenergy.us, 732-322-7989.
 

NYSAC Programs and Services

The County Marketplace

The County Marketplace features our Excelsior and Associate Partners. These companies offer private sector solutions to the governing, management and information challenges facing New Yorkcounties.

To become an Associate Partner, click here  
To become an Excelsior Partner, click here

Browse the County Marketplace here.

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