The District 4 Report from Legislators Martin Reid & Alex Shannon
January 2008

As legislative representatives of District 4, including the towns of Schodack, Sand Lake and Nassau, we are happy to provide residents with an update on actions taken at the January 8 legislative meeting.

One major issue was a $5,000 raise being for an assistant district attorney in the county District Attorney’s office. Based on the fact that the employee has not even started the job, and based on the size of the raise, we voted in opposition. Our colleague, Ms. Fasoldt, voted in favor of the raise.

We also supported a drug and gang task force for the District Attorney’s office. Two-thirds of the funding comes from the state and one-third comes from the county. Because of the fact the state grant runs out in September, we urged the District Attorney to begin the process of applying for new grant funding and we pledged our assistance for such efforts.

The Legislature also continued our efforts to secure meaningful reform of costly state mandates. In the 2008 budget, mandates will cost 89 cents out of every county tax dollar, an unprecedented level. The Legislature came together to unanimously support three reform resolutions, including one calling for reform of mandates, one seeking additional state funding for the state-ordered expansion of the County Jail and one seeking additional state and federal funding for needed water and sewer infrastructure improvements.

It is our hope our reform resolutions are included in the State of the State address by the governor and the governor’s upcoming state budget presentation. We plan to continue advocating for meaningful reform on the state level to aid county taxpayers.

Legislators also unanimously supported a resolution commending the Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board for their outstanding work in protecting farms and open space across the county. On December 20, Rensselaer County was chosen for four farmland protection projects, more than any other county in the state. To date, the county has received state support for eight farm protection projects, meaning a total of 2,600 acres have been protected.

We both spoke of our interest in seeing more farm protection projects in our legislative district and southern Rensselaer County. There is still considerable farm acreage in the southern area of the county and District 4, and there are considerable development pressures.

We also joined to defeat a resolution sponsored by Democrats seeking changes to the Wicks Law. While we support changes to the Wicks Law, the legislation supported by Democrats would have unfairly penalized upstate New York and favored New York City. We believe any Wicks Law reform should include equality for all areas of the state. Our Democrat colleague, Ms. Fasoldt, voted to support the legislation that in our view favored New York City.

The next regular monthly meeting of the Rensselaer County Legislature is Tuesday, February 12. Residents are welcome to contact us at our legislative offices by writing to the Rensselaer County Legislature, 1600 7^th Avenue, Troy, NY 12180 or by e-mailing us via the official legislative website at www.rensselaercounty.org.

The District 3 Report from Legislators Salisbury, Walsh & Herrington
February 2008

As legislative representatives of District 3, including the towns of Brunswick, Schaghticoke and Pittstown, we are happy to provide residents with an update on actions taken at the February 12 legislative meeting.

Legislators voiced opposition to the proposed 2008-2009 state budget proposed by Governor Spitzer. The budget would shift about $4 million in new costs to the county, including reductions in state aid and reimbursements for state mandated programs, and the shift could translate into an 8 percent property tax increase, according to state officials. The county simply cannot afford the state mandates included in the Spitzer budget, especially at a time when the county is already paying 89 cents of every dollar for mandates.

Just as the county cannot afford new mandates, state taxpayers cannot afford a new round of tax and fee increases on the state level. Because of that, we opposed a proposal in the Spitzer budget to enact 46 new fee increases. Residents simply cannot afford to pay more, and we hope the governor revises his proposal and removes the fee increases.

Legislators joined to oppose Governor Spitzer’s plan to close the Hudson and Mt. McGregor state prisons. The state is proposing to close prisons while requiring counties to construct expensive new additions to county jails. In Rensselaer County, the state is requiring the county to construct a $50 million expansion, which will be one of the most costly projects in county history. We believe the state should keep the Hudson and Mt. McGregor facilities open to help counties deal with overflow of prisoners.

The state has the ability to force the county to continue with the construction of the county jail. If the county refuses, the state can continue with the work and then bill the county for the project. Unfortunately, legislative Democrats opposed a resolution to bond for the project, despite warnings from the sheriff that failure to continue with the project also jeopardizes safety at the county jail, along with the possibility of higher expenses for county taxpayers.

We honored the Bornt Farms for receiving the Century Farm Award from the New York State Agriculture Society at the 176^th Annual Agricultural Forum in Syracuse. Located in Pittstown, the Bornt Farm was established in the late 1800s and is today operated by Gerald Bornt and his wife Sylvia.

The Legislature appointed two members to the county Environmental Management Council, including Sim Adams of Brunswick and Bill Niemi of Brunswick, and members to the county Fire Advisory Board, including James Austin and Walter Webster Jr. of Brunswick and John Phillips of Pittstown.

Unfortunately, Legislator Salisbury missed the meeting due to an illness, and we look forward to his return for next month’s meeting.

The next regular monthly meeting of the Rensselaer County Legislature is Tuesday, March 11. Residents are welcome to contact us at our legislative offices by writing to the Rensselaer County Legislature, 1600 7^th Avenue, Troy, NY 12180 or by e-mailing us via the official legislative website at www.rensselaercounty.org.

The District 3 Report from Legislators Salisbury, Walsh & Herrington
March 2008

As legislative representatives of District 3, including the towns of Brunswick, Schaghticoke and Pittstown, we are happy to provide residents with an update on actions taken at the March 11 legislative meeting.

Legislators stated their opposition to various initiatives included in the proposed state budget we believe will cost state taxpayers, and also opposed reductions in federal aid and reimbursements in the proposed 2008-2009 federal budget. The County Legislature met one day after shocking revelations regarding Democrat Governor Eliot Spitzer’s conduct, and legislators unanimously voted to request the resignation of the governor, which was announced one day later. Legislators from both sides of the aisle stated their disappointment with the events involving Governor Spitzer.

The county recently joined with other counties to file a lawsuit against several pharmaceutical companies to recover overpayments for Medicaid prescription drug purchases. The Legislature voted at the March 11 meeting to accept a $45,000 settlement from one company, Bristol-Meyers Squibb, and we are hopeful we will soon be reaching other settlements with other companies.

A law to provide veterans of the Cold War with a property tax exemption was introduced at the March meeting, with approval expected at the April 8 legislative meeting. The law would provide veterans who served in the military between September 1945 through December 1991 a partial property tax exemption.

The Legislature also accepted a grant for a farmland protection program. The county in 2007 was designated to receive funding for four farmland protection projects, more than any other county in the state, and we are excited about continuing the work to protect farmland and open space. In her State of the County address at the March meeting, County Executive Kathleen Jimino recognized Legislator Ken Herrington for his work in farmland protection. Along with approving the resolution related to farmland protection, the Legislature also adopted a resolution recognizing March as National Agriculture Week.

The Legislature also approved a resolution opposing a proposal by the state Department of Environmental Conservation to ban the burning of leaves, brush and paper. We believe the decision on banning open burning should remain with the towns and have heard from a number of residents regarding this issue.

The Legislature also joined to recognize Sam Dinova and Nicholas Grinaldo for their service and heroism during the bloody World War II battle for Saipan. Grinaldo was recently the guest of honor at the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs ceremony and received the Conspicuous Service Star. After he was wounded by machine gun fire and shrapnel, Grinaldo was able to pull a wounded Dinova to safety. He previously received the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for his action during the battle.

The next regular monthly meeting of the Rensselaer County Legislature is Tuesday, April 8. Residents are welcome to contact us at our legislative offices by writing to the Rensselaer County Legislature, 1600 7^th Avenue, Troy, NY 12180 or by e-mailing us via the official legislative website at www.rensselaercounty.org.

The District 3 Report from Legislators Salisbury, Walsh & Herrington
April 2008

As legislative representatives of District 3, including the towns of Brunswick, Schaghticoke and Pittstown, we are happy to provide residents with an update on actions taken at the April 8th legislative meeting.

The Legislature was proud to be joined by State Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno to receive a memorial resolution we adopted in memory of his late wife, Bobbie. Bobbie Bruno sadly passed in January after a long illness.

We joined legislators in unanimously approving a new county law to provide veterans of the Cold War with a limited exemption on their county property taxes. The exemption is available to veterans who served from September 1945 to December 1991 or their surviving spouses. The eligibility requirements are as set forth by New York State and the exemption goes into effect 2010.

The Cold War exemption is a great way for the county and the state to say thanks to the veterans who served during a crucial time in our nation’s history. Thanks to their service and the service of so many other veterans, the threat of communism was ended and our freedom and quality of life protected.

Legislators joined unanimously to request the State Attorney General to investigate the possibility of pricing gouging by suppliers of crude oil. With gas prices at record levels, we believe an investigation would help stabilize the prices and send the message that such pricing policies are under close scrutiny.

The Legislature also joined to request the governor and state leaders to consider a temporary reduction of the sales tax on the sale of digital televisions. Beginning in February, 2009, television signal will no longer be analog and instead be carried digitally. This will mean many state residents will need to purchase new televisions or digital equipment to receive the digital signals. We believe a temporary reduction of the sales tax would be appreciated by buyers who need these televisions and possibly attract shoppers to our state.

We were also proud to recognize some notable residents. We presented Jake Broderick of Brunswick with a resolution recognizing him for receiving the Firefighter of the Year Award from the Eagle Mills Fire Department. We also presented a resolution to members of the Bornt family of Pittstown for receiving the Century Farm Award by the New York State Agriculture Society.

We also presented a resolution memorializing the life of General Stanley Hemstreet of Schaghticoke to members of the Hemstreet family, including his widow Aileen. During a career that started in the Army Air Corps in 1945, General Hemstreet flew many famous fighters and military planes, was part of the Berlin Call-up of 1961, flew missions during the Vietnam War, and helped supply U.S. outposts in Greenland and Antarctica.

The next regular monthly meeting of the Rensselaer County Legislature is Tuesday, May 13th. Residents are welcome to contact us at our legislative offices by writing to the Rensselaer County Legislature, 1600 7^th Avenue, Troy, NY 12180 or by e-mailing us via the official legislative website at www.rensselaercounty.org.