Legislator Mike Stammel Reports to Rensselaer
February 2008

Greetings and best wishes to everyone in the City of Rensselaer. As Rensselaer’s representative to the County Legislature, I am happy to report on actions taken by the Rensselaer County Legislature at our February 12 legislative meeting and other items of related interest.

I joined legislators in opposing 46 fee increases that are proposed in the 2008-2009 state budget submitted by Governor Spitzer. I believe that New Yorkers, particularly those who I represent in Rensselaer, cannot afford these new fee increases, which would come at a time when taxes and fees are already too high in our state.

It was disappointing that legislative Democrats attempted to derail the resolution opposing the fee increases, along with offering amendments to weaken other resolutions stating opposition to sizable cost shifts, state aid reductions and reimbursement decreases in the governor’s budget. County budget officials have estimated the governor’s proposed budget shifts $4 million in new expenses to the county, which would translate into an 8 percent county property tax increase. This shift comes at a time when 89 cents out of every county tax dollar goes to pay for mandates.

In recent weeks, I have joined other legislators in opposing the closure of the Hudson and Mt. McGregor state prisons. The closure of these two prisons comes at a time when the state is forcing the county to expand our county jail at a cost of $50 million. We believe the state has the ability to postpone our county jail project and allow for any increases in jail population to be sent to these facilities, and that additional state aid should be provided to help pay for the county expansion. I appreciate several letters of support I have received from county residents supporting our position on the jail issue.

Unfortunately, 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, which usually comes at a higher rate.

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.

The Legislature also appointed members to the Fire Advisory Board, including Charles Mann of Rensselaer. We recognized employees at the Van Rensselaer Manor for their response to a fire during the holidays, noting their quick response kept residents safe.

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

Legislator Mike Stammel Reports to Rensselaer
March 2008

Greetings and best wishes to everyone in the City of Rensselaer. As Rensselaer’s representative to the County Legislature, I am happy to report on actions taken by the Rensselaer County Legislature at our March 11 legislative meeting and other items of related interest.

Legislators joined to oppose reductions in federal funding and reimbursements to New York State as proposed in the president’s 2008-2009 federal budget. These cuts would unfairly penalize our state and many residents, particularly at a time when our state sends many millions more to Washington than we receive back.

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.

Residents across New York State were stunned to learn of the serious allegations regarding Governor Eliot Spitzer’s conduct. At the March 11 meeting, legislators from both sides of the aisle joined to support a resolution calling for Governor Spitzer’s resignation. Legislators from both parties expressed their sincere disappointment regarding the governor’s conduct.

County legislators look forward to any opportunity to work with incoming Governor David Paterson, particularly on the serious economic issues facing our state.   In recent weeks, I joined with other county officials in lobbying state officials for reform of state mandates which create an enormous expense for county taxpayers.

We also sought additional state aid for the state-ordered expansion of the county jail, a project that carries a $50 million expense. One of my colleagues, Legislator Martin Reid, attended a recent rally to save the Hudson state prison, which employs a number of Rensselaer residents. We believe it is unfair for the state to force counties to construct expensive new additions while closing state prisons and hope the state reverses this costly policy during the current legislative session.

The Legislature accepted a state Homeland Security grant totaling $121,000 for the purchase of equipment to respond to any events involving weapons of mass destruction or terrorism. Legislators also approved the purchase of two vans for use in transporting seniors, with the funds coming from a state grant.

The Legislature recognized March as Women’s History Month and recognized Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer for their contributions during National Nutrition Month.

The next regular monthly meeting of the Rensselaer County Legislature is Tuesday, April 8. Residents are welcome to contact me at the 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.

Legislator Mike Stammel Reports to Rensselaer
April 2008

Greetings and best wishes to everyone in the City of Rensselaer. As Rensselaer’s representative to the County Legislature, I am happy to report on actions taken by the Rensselaer County Legislature at our April 8th legislative meeting and other items of related interest.

The Legislature approved a new benefit for county veterans, sought action to help lower gasoline prices and recognized some notable achievements by Rensselaer residents. The day of our meeting, news of the decision by the Doane Stuart private school to locate from Albany to the former Rensselaer Elementary School was made public. This is good news for the efforts to revitalize our city.

The Legislature unanimously approved a county to provide veterans of the Cold War, from 1945 to 1991, to receive a partial exemption on their county property taxes beginning in 2010. This exemption is similar to other exemptions for military service, and is a way for the county to express thanks to our veterans.

Legislators also joined to ask the State Attorney General to investigate whether there is price gouging with regard to crude oil prices. With prices at a record high, there is the hope an investigation could help stabilize and possibly reduce prices.

I was proud to sponsor a resolution commending the Rensselaer High School Varsity Boys’ Basketball team for a championship season and a separate resolution recognizing the Rensselaer High School Girls’ Cheerleading Squad for winning second place in a national competition.

The Rensselaer High School Varsity Boys’ Basketball team compiled a 12-6 Patroon Conference record and an overall record of 17 wins and 7 losses on their way to capturing their first sectional basketball title since 1991. The  team was coached by Head Coach Dominick Pitaniello and Assistant Coaches Tim Burek and Joel Preston, and players include Justin Wilkinson, Keith Britt, Shane Brozowski, Zack Reynolds, Chris Britt, Mike Ballard, Tyler Sammon, Brett Hart, Kevin Nurse, Mico Perez-DeLosSantos, Elijah Jevons, Stephen Spath and Cody Gabriel.

The Rensselaer High School Girls’ Cheerleading Squad took second place honors in the small varsity division in a national cheerleading competition at Walt Disney World. The squad did fundraising to pay for the trip. The squad includes Head Coach Penny Spence and members Carolann Collins, Ashley Harwood, Brianne Fahrenkopf, Monic Goss, Lauren Burek, Octavia Gales, Shanta Hamilton, Kierra Fahrenkopf and Tiffani Nye.

I was pleased to see the governor had reversed a proposal to shut down the Mt. McGregor and Hudson medium state prisons. Local officials, including my legislative colleagues and I, had joined to oppose this decision. I know several Rensselaer residents work in these facilities and keeping this facilities open will hopefully help reduce over-crowding at the county level.

The next regular monthly meeting of the Rensselaer County Legislature is Tuesday, May 13th. Residents are welcome to contact me at the 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.