September 2020 Meeting Highlights:

School Aid Funding: A resolution urging State and Federal Representatives to release emergency funding to the Rensselaer County School Districts was accepted and unanimously approved by the legislature. This resolution, initiated by the Minority legislators is a first step to helping our school districts. We urge you to continue to reach out directly to State and Federal Representatives on this important issue.

Health: The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) awarded the County an Overdose Data to Action Grant. This grant is essential in identifying and implementing interventions to address the opioid epidemic. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the county has seen a dramatic increase in overdoses. Parts of the funding will be shared with the Mental Health Department to train and certify recovery peer advocates.

Census 2020: The legislature unanimously accepted an award from the New York State Development Corporation, which in turn the county will be contracting out to the Center of Economic Opportunity (CEO) to offer their expertise and assistance with the 2020 Census count. The Census is critical in receiving federal funding and congressional representation. Please if you or anyone has not filled out the census, do so now and – Be Counted! NYS cannot afford to lose valuable funding.

HVCC: The legislature approved two contracts for the renovation of the college’s Lang Technical Building. One was a modification for the general construction contract and one for asbestos abatement.

The legislature also declared October as National Bullying Month and National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

NEXT MEETING – Tuesday, October 13, 2020 in the Rensselaer County Chambers located on the 3rd floor of the Ned Pattison Government Center, 1600 7th Avenue, Troy.

Residents are welcome to contact our office at 270-2890.

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