PRESS RELEASE
February 12, 2008

Legislature to Voice Opposition to State Budget Tonight

A series of resolutions voicing opposition to Governor Spitzer’s proposed 2008-2009 state budget will be considered at tonight’s meeting of the Rensselaer County Legislature.

Legislators also voiced concerned that revisions by Governor Spitzer to his proposal will even worsen the impact of the state budget plan on local taxpayers, counties and school districts.

County budget officials estimate reductions in state aid, shifts in mandates and changes in reimbursement formulas will cost the county more than $4 million, translating to an 8 percent property tax increase. The negative impacts of the state budget come at a time when 89 cents out of every county tax dollar goes to pay for mandated expenses, based on information provided by state budget officials.

County officials believe the shift in costs is being done to pay for the expansion of state programs. Governor Spitzer’s proposed budget also did not include any additional state aid for the state mandated expansion of the county jail, a project that will cost the county more than $50 million.

“This is our effort to get the attention of Governor Spitzer and state officials that we cannot afford any more mandates and cannot afford any more cuts in state aid. The state is shifting more and more costs onto the backs of county taxpayers, and that is wrong,” said Chairman of the Legislature Neil J. Kelleher.

“We have said it before, and it deserves repeating: If New York State helped reduced the mandate burden, we would be in a position to reduce county property taxes,” said Legislator Martin Reid.

The six resolutions include:

- A resolution opposing the proposed 2008-2009 state budget because of the increases in state mandates

- A resolution opposing the 46 fee increases included in Governor Spitzer’s proposed state budget

- A resolution opposing a $330,000 reduction in juvenile detention programs

- A resolution opposing a $250,000 reduction in state-mandated welfare programs provided by the county

- A resolution opposing a $1.25 million reduction in state reimbursement for operation of the Van Rensselaer Manor nursing home

- A resolution opposing the planned closure of the Mt. McGregor and Hudson medium-security state prisons. Legislators say it is unfair for the state to     require the county to expand their facility at a time when the state is reducing their prison space, a move that could result in costly overcrowding in county facilities in the coming years.

“This will be an opportunity for legislators both Republican and Democrat to stand up for county taxpayers and tell Governor Spitzer it is time to make good on his promise to reform state finances and reduce mandates,” said Majority Leader Robert Mirch.

“We are especially concerned because the revisions announced this week by the governor to his budget proposal are likely to make things worse for counties. All legislators need to stand up and take action,” added Vice Chairman of the Legislature Thomas Walsh Sr.

The meeting starts at 6 p.m. in the chambers of the County Legislature, located in the County Office Building, 1600 7^th Avenue, downtown Troy.

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