January Monthly Report

from Legislator Keith Hammond

Dear Residents of East Greenbush, North Greenbush and Poestenkill,

Here are a few highlights from the January 8^th meeting of the Rensselaer County Legislature. Please contact me about these or other issues at 270-2890 or visit our website at www.rensselaercountygov.com.

Commended Ag & Farmland Protection Board

§         Rensselaer County was selected for farmland protection by Governor Spitzer.  

§         In Rensselaer County, the Hooskip Farm of Petersburgh, the Cannon Cattle Ranch of Pittstown, the Robe-Jan Farm of  Schaghticoke and the Clark Family Farm located partially in Hoosick

§         Governor's announcement is good economic development news for our County and we are  grateful to him for acknowledging the importance of preserving land for agriculture and for our County for making the commitment to pursue farmland protection

§          The state's plan  doubles the amount of farm protection projects in the county and is a tremendous boost to our efforts to promote the agricultural industry and agri-tourism.

 Urged Reform of outdated Wicks Law 

§          The Wicks Law was adopted back in 1964 and is woefully outdated.  It's time for the New York State Senate to move forward in removing this costly burden from local governments

§          The GOP Majority wouldn't go along with us in urging the State Senate to back up its promise made in June to support Wicks Law reform.  Meanwhile, school districts and localities pay dearly --  being forced to get four separate specifications and contracts for certain public work contracts over $50,000.

§          The costs of projects have risen dramatically but the laws have not been updated to reflect those increased costs to local government

Restored some of District Attorney's personnel funds

§          Before the new DA, Rich McNally, took office the GOP Majority took $32,000 of his budget away from him

§         We restored a small portion of that so that he could pay his staff what former DA's staff was

getting.

 County Tax Bills Need Better Information

§         I noted that my tax bill included a note about mandates that was not signed. It was very misleading and showed a dollar bill claiming a certain percent of the county budget is attributable to mandated expenses.

§          However, there was no explanation how that percentage was determined, nor what  percentage of those mandates are actually reimbursed by the state and federal governments.

§          The Democratic Minority has called for more "taxpayer friendly" tax bills that had better explanations and were easier to understand.  The insert is another example of why our suggestion should be considered.

 DATES TO REMEMBER:

            6:00pm  Wednesday   Feb.  6 Public Forum

            6:00pm  Tuesday       Feb. 12 Monthly Meeting

February Monthly Report

from Legislator Keith Hammond

Dear Residents of East Greenbush, North Greenbush and Poestenkill,

Here are a few highlights from the February 12^th meeting of the Rensselaer County Legislature. Please contact me about these or other issues at 270-2890 or visit our website at www.rensselaercountygov.com.

 Called for State Legislature to restore cuts to county government

§         The Democratic Minority proposed amendments to urge state legislative leaders, as co-equal partners in the budget process, to restore cuts proposed by the Governor.

§         The GOP refused to allow the language including Majority Leader Bruno and Speaker Silver in the message opposing the proposed 2008-09 state budget.

§         We should be working together to relieve the real burden on taxpayers -- not waste time with meaningless resolutions and press releases that are politically-motivated. 

Look at re-use of closed state facilities before bonding for county jail expansion

§         Democrats did not support an additional $12.5 million in bonds on top of the $38 million already earmarked for the county jail expansion project. 

§         The State is planning to close Mt. McGregor in nearby Saratoga County at the same time we are being mandated by the State to expand our jail.

§         Before we commit any more taxpayers' money in expensive bonds, we want to explore creative ways to use Mt.McGregor to house targeted populations of county jail inmates

Appointed Environmental Management Council

§         I was appointed to serve on the County's Environmental Management Council (EMC) and look forward to this assignment.  I also will be a member of the Animal Protection Coalition.

§         The EMC has not functioned for years.  It took considerable pressure from Legislators Grimm and Fasoldt to force a search for a Director, after the position was vacant for a long time, and to appoint members to the EMC.  They are to be commended for taking this importance of our environment seriously.

Notes On Rensselaer County's Sex Offender Laws… In response to questions from constituents

§         In July 2006 Rensselaer County adopted a local law establishing residency restrictions for sex offenders who committed criminal offenses against minors. 

§         Approved by the County Legislature and signed by the County Executive, it prohibits sex offenders from residing within 2000 feet of schools or child care facilities. Similar to other counties' legislation, it was approved as a protection for minors.  However, its constitutionality is being questioned via litigation.  While we await the outcome of this court challenge, the law remains in effect.