Issues Discussed:
1) my commentary on above topic
2) E-Mail response to last weeks post from Town Of Cortlandt Supervisor Puglisi
3) E-Mail from reader Patrick
RE:cablevision's latest con job
4) a message from candidate for Westchester County Legislator John Testa
5) cable t.v. show update
a) The Volpe Report
b) Dear Sandy
6) what's happening at Graymoor, Garrison, N.Y.
7) a message from Andy Polay
what's happening at 12 Grapes, N.Divison Street, Peekskill
9) a message from the Committee To Keep Our Police Local
10) a message from candidate for Yorktown Council Terrance Murphy
11) a message from candidate for Yorktown Council Mark Drexel
12) a message from Assemblyman Greg Ball
13) a message from Assemblyman Greg Ball and State Senator Vincent Leibell
14) a message from Assemblywoman Sandra Galef
************My new In My Opinion column's topic of discussion in the NCN
************Atom Taxi Inc. Airport Service
************Contact me e-mail addresses
************Sites to link to for more information(to be a better voter)
************Cable shows to watch(to better inform)
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Dear Readers:
The final MTA screw the people vote was taken and we lost. Not only will there be a payroll tax more insidious that the defunct commuter tax, which only affected those who worked in the city, this tax affects everybody regardless. Your property taxes will rise as local governments have to meet this payroll tax. Your school taxes will rise as school districts will have to pay this tax, and make no mistake they will rise for it has been reported that according to State Senator Leibell there is no mechanism in the bill to reimburse the districts no matter the promises made. On top of that, the state is broke, where in hell were they going to come up with the money to reimburse the school district other than to raise your state taxes? Also non-profits will suffer as they must pay this tax. Add to this you will see a steady rise in fares and tolls over the next two years that will be greater than the amount that would have been raised had not this tax been passed.
Even though the battle was lost the following people and government fought for you against this tax:
1) The Town of Yorktown
2) the Town Of Cortlandt
3) The Town of Putnam Valley
4) Westchester County Executive Andrew Spano
5) Westchester County Legislator George Oros
6) Putnam County Legislator Tagmana
The following State Legislator's voted no:
1) Assemblyman Greg Ball
2) Assemblywoman Sandra Galef
3) State Senator Vincent Leibell
You will notice, despite my pleadings in public and private the City Of Peekskill, a major hub of mass transit stayed silent. They could not give a rats petuttie about you. This in spite council members that commute by train. I have to draw the conclusion they were in favor of this tax. When the time comes to raise your property taxes next year to reflect this, and they blame this tax, I would say to the council "where were you when the fight was engaged"? Your whining now falls on deaf ears. This should and must be a campaign issue this year and each and every member should be held accountable. It is not enough to fight only the battles you can win, sometimes you must for the people's sake tilt at windmills. Being a Democrat board by a large majority, and as such pro-union, you would think they would remember what unions were formed for in the first place. They were formed so the member could speak in one loud collective voice to gain better conditions. The same for a governing body, they must speak in a loud clear voice for their citizens when individual voices would not be heard. On this issue that affects all residents in such onerous ways, this council failed miserably.
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A MESSAGE FROM TOWN OF CORTLANDT SUPERVISOR LINDA PUGLISI:
RE: LAST WEEKS POST "A "FINE" MESS IN CORTLANDT CONTINUED"
Dear Mr. Bazzo,
A sign on the outside doors for the Court Clerk's Office hours will be placed immediately and of course we do not tolerate rudeness to our citizens. We are here to serve the public. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.
Linda Puglisi
MY REPLY:
Dear Supervisor Puglisi:
Thank you for you attention to this matter. I know full well that as a Supervisor you have a full plate. I am sorry it had to come to your attention in the first place. Your excellent stewardship of the towns finances and your attention to the needs of your constituents shows why you have been elected to office time and time again.
Anthony J. Bazzo
E-MAIL REPLY FROM SUPERVISOR PUGLISI:
Dear Anthony Bazzo,
Thank you very much for your kind words.
Linda Puglisi
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AN E-MAIL FROM READER PATRICK:
RE: CABLEVISION
Hi Andy,
Hope all is well.
I don't know if you're aware of this, but Cablevision is in the process of making some changes that will affect many people. The way it works is if you have one of their boxes, which you pay about $6.00 per month for, you can basically get any channels you order as part of their various packages.
If you simply have the hard-wired coaxel cable plugged into the back of your TV, directly from the cable coming in through you wall, you could get channels up to around 64 (SciFi). Several months ago, Cablevision began to cut some of those channels and you could no longer get them unless you paid them for a box. Today, they have cut even more -- if you have just the cable wire plugged in to the back of your TV, you can now no longer get: Scifi, Lifetime, AMC, A&E, ABC Family channel, MSNBC, The E channel, The History channel, etc.
We have two TV's with boxes and 2 without and it was while watching the Kitchen TV that does not have a box that we noticed this. We called Cablevision and this is what they told us:
Within in the next couple of months, if you do NOT have a box, you will ONLY be able to get channels 2 - 13. If you want to get any other channels, you will have to rent a box from them
Andy, there are people.... families, in deep financial trouble and here is Cablevision basically cutting them off and in a sense, giving them a choice of only have channels 2 -13 (and having to pay for them!!), or renting a box and paying even more money.
How can this be allowed? When I spoke with Cablevision, they seemed like they could not care less about how this could affect some people. They claim it is part of a digital migration, but that's bull -- I believe they simply want to try and generate move revenue by collecting rental fees on boxes.
Obviously, since we have two now, we're not going to get another two for the TV's that don't have boxes...or we will, but we'll cut our package down to the minimum to make up the difference.
I was wondering if this was something you could cover in an article or on your blog? I just feel so bad for the elderly or low-income who would now have to pay even more just to get those channels back.
Thanks!
Patrick
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A MESSAGE FROM CANDIDATE FOR WESTCHESTER COUNTY LEGISLATROR JOHN TESTA:
Campaign Kick-off Reminder Notice
Please Join Former Mayor of Peekskill John G. Testa
at a Campaign Kick-off Cocktail Reception for
County Legislator District 1
Thursday, May 14, 2009
6-8 PM
Cortlandt Colonial Restaurant
(next to the Rock Cut)
5714 Albany Post Road
Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567
$55.00 per person
$500 table of ten
(May pay in advance or at the door)
For further info: 914-739-4861 • campaign@johngtesta.com
There is still time to be a part of the kick-off celebration.
Call or e-mail using the information provided above to RSVP. Walk-ins the evening of the event are also welcome.
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CABLE T.V. SHOW UPDATE:
RE: THE VOLPE REPORT:
Andy:
Host, Domenic Volpe, is pleased to announce the guest for the Domenic Volpe Report is a real estate attorney, Bobbie Ann Cox, who is also a member of Rethinking Westchester- which is a movement looking to limit County Government. Join in as I ask many questions as to truth and rumors which abound about this very sensitive issue and a stance which I too have taken these past 4 years.
The Domenic Volpe report can be seen in the Peekskill/Cortlandt area on public Access channel 14 Thursday's at 8:00pm May 14. Yorktown/Putnam Valley viewers can see us on Channel 74 Wednesday's at 6:00pm. May 13.
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RE: DEAR SANDY:
*Assemblywoman Sandy Galef Discusses Re-Entering the Workforce on “Dear **Sandy**”*
/(//May 4, 2009//)/ Assemblywoman Sandy Galef hosts Deb Volberg Pagnotta of Yorktown Heights, CEO of Interfacet, on her cable television show “Dear Sandy” to discuss how people can reevaluate their skills to help them succeed in re-entering the work force. Topics covered include why people are re-entering the workforce, how people are making the transition to new careers, and what skills can help make this leap back into the workforce more successful.
“Re-entering the workforce today can be a great step to a new career if people know how to effectively market themselves with current skills for new job opportunities,” Galef said. “People are looking for jobs for various reasons, whether they have been unemployed for months, years or only a few weeks. Learning new skills and innovative ways to become the best possible employee greatly increases their chances of becoming an ideal candidate for job openings.”
Tune in to cable television on the following days and times to learn more.
“Dear Sandy” with Sandy Galef airs as follows:
Ossining and Peekskill Channel 15- Fridays at 9:00 pm
Wappingers Falls Channel 21- Fridays at 8:00 pm
*Yorktown Channel 74 Fridays at 7:30 pm
*Carmel__Kent__Mahopac & Putnam Valley_Channel 8-Fridays at 7:30 pm
*“Re-entering the Workforce” airs on Cablevision (Channel 15, 21, 74)
May 15, May 22, May 29 & June 5*
Re-entering the Workforce” airs on Comcast (Channel 8)
June 5 & July 10
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WHAT'S HAPPENING AT GRAYMOOR, GARRISON, N.Y.
THURSDAY, May 7th, at 7:30 PM
INTERRELIGIOUS ROUNDTABLE
On the eve of Pope Benedict XVI’s historic visit to Jordan, Israel, and the Palestinian Territories, a panel of local religious leaders – including Fr. Anthony Falsarella, assistant director of St. Basil Academy, Garrison; Dr. Mahjabeen Hassan, chairwoman of the American Muslim Women’s Association, Briarcliff Manor; Rev. Dr. Adolphus C. Lacey, pastor of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, Peekskill: and Rabbi Lee S. Paskind, rabbi at First Hebrew Congregation, Peekskill – will explore interreligious relations locally. Award-winning Journal News religion writer Gary Stern will moderate the panel. Further information will be forthcoming. Free. Seminar Rooms (3rd floor). Information: (845)424-2111.
SUNDAY, May 10th, after Mass
PLANT SALE
Members of the Graymoor Garden Club will have plants from their own gardens for sale after the Sunday Eucharist. Want to join them? Pick up some plastic pots, divide and thin out the plants in your yard this week, pot them up, label them, and put them on the tables outside Pilgrim Hall next Sunday. Proceeds will benefit the programs of the Graymoor Spiritual Life Center. For information, call (845)424-2111.
TUESDAY, May 12th
SHARING EASTER FAITH
The seven-week series celebrating The Great Fifty Days of Easter with the help of Roger P. Schroeder’s book, What Is theMission of the Church? A Guide for Catholics (Orbis 2008), continues on Tues.May 12th with "Mission from Columbus to the Fall of the Berlin Wall" 1483-1989 (chapter 5, pp.66-88). Copies of the book are available at the Graymoor Book and Gift Center (845-424-2100).
SUNDAY, May 17th, at 4:00 PM
THIRD ANNUAL GRATEFUL GATHERING
The third annual Grateful Gathering, a “sacred meal featuring foods from the Bible,” will be held at 4:00 PM in the friars’ dining room. Reservations are required by Mon.May 11th (845-424-2111). Requested donation is $65.00 per person, $100.00 per couple.
CASTING CALL:
Odyssey Networks and Embassy Row, a television production partner, are issuing a casting call for a televisionq quiz show based on the Bible. Interested persons are invited to visit www.embassyrow.com, click on "Casting" and fill out the application for "Bible Quiz." Interviews will be conducted in mid-May and will include both day and evening appointments. Both the interviews and the shoot will be in New York City.
Consider forwarding this to others who might be interested. Thank you.
For regular updates about retreats and other programs, activities and events at Graymoor, please contact Fr. James Gardiner at: jgardiner@atonementfriars.org
or visit the SpiritualLife Center website: www.graymoorcenter.org
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A MESSAGE FROM ANDY POLAY:
RE; JAZZ GIGS:
Hello Everyone,
It is my pleasure to announce a very special evening of video and jazz at the Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art in Peekskill NY, THURSDAY, MAY 14TH, AT 7:00PM.
This will be different, as we have been invited to add our music to a video performance at this great venue.
If you haven't been there before, this will be a real treat, as you will be stimulated by stunning visual arts from around the world in a giant setting on East Main St.in Peekskill, and on that night: great jazz!
Rahn Burton will once again grace our presence as the mistro of hard bop displays his prowess on the keyboards. I will be on the drums and I can promise you some surprises as well!
So come join your hosts Livia and Marc Strauss and their great staff as we celebrate the visual and performing arts partnered in this unique setting!
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Hello Folks,
Here's news on our second event next week: Friday, May 15, at the great Beanrunner in Peekskill. No two shows are the same so I look forward to seeing friends- both old and new, at this fantastic cafe that changes into a jazz club at night.
As always, I respect your right to privacy and although I hope you are interested in my music, will understand if you want to be taken off this mailing list. If you would like to be taken off this list, please just let me know by replying to my email.
Thank you very much for your support and I look forward to seeing you at the shows!
Andy
Click here: Jazz News: The Andy Polay Duo Live @ Beanrunner Cafe on May 15th
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WHAT'S HAPPENING AT 12 GRAPES, N. DIVISION STREET, PEEKSKILL
Mon, May 11, 8:00 - 10:00
Greg Westhoff & The Westchester Swing Band
Outstanding 18-piece orchestra, world-class musicians.
Reservations are recommended. Fun is guaranteed.
**$5 Cover goes directly to the band**
For reservations call: 914-737-6624
Thanks again for joining in the fun at 12 Grapes. To see our menus, calendar of events and photo gallery, please visit 12grapes.com.
As always, thank you for your patronage and friendship.
Sincerely,
Rich & Jeannie Credidio
12 Grapes Music & Wine Bar
12 North Division Street, Peekskill, NY
(914) 737-6624
12grapes.com
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A MESSAGE FROM THE YORKTOWN WATCHDOG:
School budget votes are on May 19,2009.
The UTY members at the last
meeting voted to vote no on all school budgets. We are tax enough
already and with the state STAR program deductions in the amount of
near 29% for property owners on basic and near 48 % on the enhanced
STAR program. These reductions were reported in the NCN newspaper by
the Yorktown school district's asisstant superintendent of finance Tom
Cole . We are also being hit with many new state taxes, make sure you
get out and vote. Get your familes,friends and neighbors out to vote
no. The lower tax rates in these school budget come a little to late.
The school districts are holding our taxpayers dollars in their Fund
balances (surplus) in the millions. We have been taxed enough alread
vote no!
Ed Ciffone
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A MESSAGE FROM THE COMMITTEE TO KEEP OUR POLICE LOCAL:
CONTACT: NICK BIANCO 914-245-2495
ANTHONY GRASSO- 914-962-5723
COMMITTEE TO KEEP OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT LOCAL
Yorktown Councilman Nicholas Bianco will announce on Tuesday May 5, 2009 at Noon in front of the Yorktown Police Department 2281 Crompond Rd. (Rt.202) Yorktown Heights, NY a new committee which would like to keep its local police department local.
Mr. Anthony Grasso, former councilman and police commissioner will head this committee with several other individuals.
Councilman Bianco and the committee agree that the take over of the local Yorktown Police Department by Westchester County does not make monetary or security sense. While everyone is for consolidation and sharing of services and this Yorktown Board and past boards have considered this and made some accomplishments. For example, the school resources officers are shared by Yorktown Town, Yorktown Schools, Lakeland Schools and Town of Cortlandt.
This proposal by the supervisor of the Town and County Executive Andrew Spano without any knowledge of the police department or town board appears to lack any understanding other than to make Yorktown a satellite of Westchester County. The highest tax county in the United States of America. Westchester County can not even run Playland correctly. What makes one think it can our community? If the supervisor and or Mr. Spano had asked we would have pointed out our police budget. In 2009 the Yorktown police budget is 8.4 million dollars of which 8 million is salaries and benefits. In other words 94% of our police budget is for salary and benefits. If the heart of the proposal is for all Yorktown officers to become Westchester County police and it is agreed that they make more in salary and benefits where is the cost savings? The starting salary of a Yorktown and County Police differ considerably. The County officer makes 22% more plus more benefits. Simple math tells one that their proposal makes no financial sense.
The supervisor and County Executive wants us to believe that this merger will save money and service will not be diminish and point to Town of Cortlandt/ The Town of Cortlandt has two villages with full time police departments (Buchanan & Croton) and have one patrol officer on the 8-4 and 4-12 shift and none on 12-8AM . Yorktown on the other hand has four patrol officers and one sgt. patrol 8-4; & 4-12 shifts. The midnight tour has three patrol officers plus a patrol sgt and on weekends four patrol and one sgt.
Yorktown residents will have to pay this bill which will be in our estimation more expensive. WHY SHOULD WE PAY THE BILL AND HAVE NO CONTROL.
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A MESSAGE FROM CANDIDATE FOR YORKTOWN COUNCIL TERRANCE MURPHY:
STATEMENT FROM TERRENCE MURPHY
ON FORMATION OF THE COMMITTEE TO KEEP OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT LOCAL
Common sense dictates that while the town looks at methods of saving taxpayer dollars during these challenging economic times, the town board would be involved in said process.
That is why many of us were shocked to learn that the county government was making an attempt to impede on the daily lives of Yorktown residents, via a proposal that the experts think will end up costing the town even more money then it spends now, while sacrificing local control.
Something must be done to address the ever-increasing costs of government and services in Yorktown, and I am doing it. By joining the Committee to Keep Our Police Department Local, I will ensure that the number one responsibility of government, at all levels, keeping the residents of Yorktown safe, will be married with the number two responsibility of government, keeping our taxes low.
Some would say that in the past decade we have learned the consequences of unilateral action. Common sense would say that in the case of eliminating one of the best police departments in the country, it should be local officials making the call, and not some County Executive in White Plains.
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A MESSSAGE FROM CANDIDATE FOR YORKTOWN COUNCIL MARK DREXEL:
Governor Paterson Issues Executive Order Addressing Property Taxes in New York
> Last week, Governor David Paterson issued Executive Order No. 17, which establishes measures to evaluate costs of mandates on local governments. The Executive Order applies only to regulation and legislation from the Executive Chamber or State agencies and establishes guidelines for agencies including submitting a full accounting of the fiscal impacts of proposed legislation in the development of bills.
> According to the attached press release the Executive Order establishes guidelines for State agencies including submitting a full accounting of the fiscal impacts of proposed legislation earlier in the process of developing bills; requires a local fiscal impact statement to accompany legislation sent to the legislature; and requires agency review of existing regulations to determine potential ways to reduce the fiscal impact of existing mandates on local governments by December 1, 2009.
HERE IS THE ORDER:
EXECUTIVE ORDER
NO 17: ESTABLISHING MEASURES TO EVALUATE COSTS OF MANDATES ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO ADVANCE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF
WHEREAS, the State of New York must be vigilant in its efforts to contain government spending and to stabilize property taxes; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of New York bear an inordinately high property tax burden to fund counties, cities, towns, villages, school districts and special districts; and
WHEREAS, such tax burdens are due in part to legislative and regulatory mandates that have been imposed on local governments by the State; and
WHEREAS, it is critical that governments work together to craft solutions to the high cost of government and cooperate in evaluating options to restrain unnecessary spending at all levels of government in order to provide property tax relief to New York residents and businesses; and
WHEREAS, the fiscal impact of any legislative or regulatory proposal that imposes a mandate should be evaluated to the fullest extent possible to consider the cost to local governments, in recognition of the goal of providing property tax relief; and
WHEREAS, in order to limit property taxes, it is equally important periodically to examine existing agency regulations to ensure that they do not impose unjustified costs and requirements on local governments;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, David A. Paterson, Governor of the State of New York, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of New York, do hereby order as follows:
1. Definitions. For purposes of this order:
a. “Mandate” shall mean: (i) any legal requirement that a local government provide or undertake any program, project or activity, or increase spending for an existing program, project or activity; or (ii) any legal requirement that a local government grant any new property tax exemption or broaden the eligibility, or increase the value of any existing property tax exemption; or (iii) any legal requirement that otherwise would likely have the effect of raising property taxes.
b. “Local government” shall mean a county, city, town, village, school district or special district.
c. “State agency” shall mean (1) any state agency, department, office, board, commission or other instrumentality of the state, including the executive chamber; and (2) any public authority or public benefit corporation created by or existing under any State law, at least one of whose members is appointed by the Governor (including any subsidiaries of such public authority or public benefit corporation), other than an interstate or international authority or public benefit corporation.
d. “Cost-benefit analysis” shall mean a specific delineation of the costs and benefits to local governments including a quantification of the impact on local government revenue and expenditures, where such impact is quantifiable based on available information.
2. No state agency shall recommend, propose, publish or submit any legislation or regulation containing a mandate without an accounting of the impact of such mandate on local governments, which shall include (a) the fiscal impacts of such mandate, (b) a cost-benefit analysis, (c) documentation of input sought and received by affected local governments, and (d) proposed sources of revenue to fund such mandate. Prior to the formalization of any such proposal, such accounting shall be provided in writing to the Secretary to the Governor, the Counsel to the Governor, the Director of State Operations and the Director of the Division of Budget; provided, however, that if such proposal is necessary to protect against an immediate threat to public health or safety, such proposal may be formalized and advanced without such accounting only upon the approval of the Director of State Operations and the Counsel to the Governor, provided that such accounting shall be completed promptly thereafter.
3. Any proposed bill containing a mandate which is offered by a state agency to the Legislature shall be accompanied by a local fiscal impact statement which states, so far as possible, such mandate’s estimated cost to local governments. Such statement shall include but need not be limited to:
a. an estimate of the present and future cost of compliance with such mandate from the Division of the Budget or from the state agency having responsibility to administer the mandate proposed in such bill;
b. a description of the methodology used to estimate such present and future cost impacts;
c. a summary of the input sought and obtained from the affected local governments, or where a mandate would be applicable statewide, from organizations representative of local governments including but not limited to the New York State Association of Counties, the New York State Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officials, the Association of Towns of the State of New York State and the New York State School Boards Association;
d. proposed revenue sources to fund such mandate; and
e. a cost-benefit analysis of such mandate.
4. On or before December 1, 2009, each state agency shall review its regulations and report to the Secretary to the Governor, the Counsel to the Governor, the Director of State Operations and the Director of the Division of the Budget on any proposed changes to such regulations which could reduce the impact of existing mandates on local governments and generate property tax relief for New York State property taxpayers.
G I V E N under my hand and the Privy Seal of the State in the City of Albany this twenty seventh day of April in the year two thousand nine.
David A. Paterson
Governor
Larry Schwartz
Secretary to the Governor
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A MESSAGE FROM ASSEMBLMAN GREG BALL:
BALL ANNOUNCES RUN AT HALL IN 2010
Formally Announces Candidacy for U.S. Congress
Surrounded by friends, family and supporters, Assemblyman Greg Ball (R,C,I--Patterson) formally announced that he is launching a campaign for the 19th Congressional District on Saturday.
"Now is the time to reclaim America's promise to our kids, our seniors, our veterans, our immigrants and our small business owners. This is going to be a positive campaign to reclaim the American dream for blue collar families in the Hudson Valley," Ball said during the event at Murphy's Restaurant in Yorktown Heights, New York.
Ball, who received a nomination to the United States Air Force Academy from former Congresswoman Sue Kelly, said he was kicking off his campaign in Westchester County because he intends to win the county, and pointed to his successful work across party lines in the state.
"Greg is right for these difficult times," added Westchester Legislator George Oros, a one-time candidate for the seat. "He will provide the bold new leadership that Washington now lacks."
Ball said that four years ago, as a political newcomer, he decided to run for the State Assembly in response to a dysfunctional state government, escalating state debt, and skyrocketing property taxes. The choice also meant taking on an entrenched incumbent, whose family held the seat for nearly eight decades, though Ball won that fight with nearly 72% of the vote.
"Democracy is not a spectator sport and I am in this fight not to tear down the incumbent, but to restore America's promise to the Hudson Valley. Blue collar folks like my family and friends feel shafted by elitist politicians on both sides of the aisle. The unsustainable spending, the bailouts, the corporate welfare, the runaway defense contracts; all of this must stop and we must refocus our priorities in this time of crisis."
Kieran Lalor, the 2008 Republican nominee for the seat, said, "Assemblyman Ball has shaken some sense into Albany and I think he's the man to knock a little sense into the elites in Congress." Lalor handed Hall the distinction of being the only Democratic congressman in New York State to finish with below 60% of the vote.
In addition to outlining his congressional campaign platform, Ball, the first in his family to graduate from college, also took time to thank his parents for their support and guidance, especially his mother, Judy Ball, in recognition of Mother's Day. "My mom is a saint and she is my strength. She worked nights so she could get us kids to school, then cleaned houses during the day for the wealthy folks on Quaker Hill and many times put in hours for overtime. My mother broke her back because she knew us kids would have a better standard of living, a better life. That is America's promise, and that promise is on the verge of no longer being true; this is why I am now running for US Congress."
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A MESSAGE FROM ASSEMBLYMAN GREG BALL AND STATE SENATOR VINCENT LEIBELL:
*LEIBELL & BALL CALL MTA BAILOUT CRUEL*
Solutions were proffered today by Assemblyman Greg Ball (R, C, I –
Patterson) and State Senator Vincent L. Leibell, (R, C, I – Patterson)
for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, at a press conference
discussing the negative impact of the MTA bailout legislation that was
passed by the legislature on Wednesday evening.
“While this year’s recently enacted state budget was a disaster for all
New Yorkers, the MTA bailout just enacted by the state legislature can
only be described as cruel,” Leibell stated. “The bailout of this
failed agency was done on the backs of our schools, our hospitals, all
of our not-for-profits that take care of those less fortunate and
ultimately, of course, on every single taxpayer of this state.”
The state lawmakers were joined by county legislators George Oros and
Dan Birmingham at the event outside Yorktown High School, each
expressing their disdain over the bailout bill mandates for school
districts and employers to pay a 34 cent per $100 payroll tax.
“An independent and forensic audit should be conducted dating back to
the agency's questionable and expensive renovation of its new
headquarters at 2 Broadway,” said Ball, who serves as ranking member of
the Assembly Corporations, Authorities, and Commissions Committee, which
has oversight of the MTA.
According to the Daily News, massive mob infiltration and corruption
were purported to have brought the final price of the Broadway
Headquarters project to $450 million dollars.
“Beyond that project, there of dozens of other examples, including the
high-tech security system approved after 9/11 to put closed-circuit
cameras throughout the subway system, which is four years behind
schedule, and whose cost has doubled to nearly $500 million,” Ball
added. “Add all of this to the fact that the new Fulton Street Transit
Center is now three years late and $200 million over budget, and you
must wonder why legislative leaders have bent over backwards to
subsidize this behavior.”
While there have been studies on improving the MTA services, such as the
one conducted by the Ravitch Commission, the MTA has only conducted two
internal audits: one in 2002 regarding their payroll system; followed by
another a few years later to audit the LIRR pension fund.
Westchester County Legislator George Oros (R, C, I – Peekskill) said,
“As an early opponent to this burdensome tax, I proudly join my
responsible legislative colleagues who understand that this action by
the state legislature will slow economic recovery, hurt not-for-profit
agencies and cost Westchester County government over one million dollars
at a critical time for all middle class working families. Instead of
creating jobs, this unfair tax will force small businesses to close or
leave our state.”
With MTA debt services now at approximately 13 percent of the MTA’s
entire operating budget, there is an urgent need to provide a separate
revenue stream for the MTA’s Capital Plan. The bailout bill did not
accomplish this, leaving legislators already planning on returning to
Albany this fall to readdress the issue.
“Unfortunately, the taxpayers are taking it on the chin again,” said
Putnam County Legislator Dan Birmingham (R-Mahopac/Brewster). “I find
it ironic that Albany has passed the Mobility Tax when the Legislature
is clearly unfamiliar with forward movement of any type. By enacting
this new tax during a recession, the State Legislature will turn a
disaster into a calamity. I’d like to tell you I’m disappointed in
Albany, but it’s hard to be disappointed when you don’t expect much.”
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A MESSAGE FROM ASSEMBLYWOMAN SANDRA GALEF:
Galef Launches Shared Services Task Force of the 90th Assembly District
On April 17th, Assemblywoman Sandy Galef launched the Shared Services Task Force of the 90th Assembly District. The group is made up of residents from municipalities throughout Galef’s district who are interested in learning from one another about grassroots efforts they can take to streamline and possibly consolidate functions, departments, and purchasing in government entities and school districts.
Galef’s task force is one effort of many which she has taken towards finding ways for local governments and school districts to cut costs without impacting service delivery. “I am grateful that federal stimulus money has helped us close one of the worst budget deficits our state has faced in its history,” remarked Galef. “Nevertheless, I realize that more must be done towards cutting back on the cost of doing business at the state and local levels so we can reduce taxes for our residents. The economic downturn is a perfect opportunity to ask the tough questions and start turning around some of our bloated and outdated practices in government.”
Members of the task force represent a wide variety of groups such as local taxpayer watchdog groups, statewide property tax reform groups, and a newly forming Ossining/Briarcliff shared services study group. Other members are school board trustees, municipal trustees, a representative from the office of NYS Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, and people from private industry. All are interested in finding ways for governments or school districts to reduce wasteful practices and systems that have been part of the culture of local governments in New York since the 19th century.
“The vast majority of people in my district are not happy about the taxes they pay,” said Galef, “and think that there are wasteful practices in government that should be modified. This group gives individuals the opportunity to learn and work together to reform government at the grassroots level, which has the potential to really impact the bottom line.”
Galef’s group will explore various aspects of government spending, with guests invited to address specific areas of interest the group has identified. The hope is that these guests can illuminate the task force members about the pros and cons of service consolidation and obstacles to achieving more sharing.
Attention will be focused primarily on local and county governments and the municipal services they provide, although topics will undoubtedly overlap into school district territory as well. Some areas of concern raised at the first meeting that require further study were police forces, highway superintendents, purchasing, negotiations, tax assessments and collection and capital expenditures.
The assemblywoman welcomes any interested individuals to join the task force. For more information or to join the group, contact Galef’s Chief of Staff Dana Levenberg at (914) 941-1111 or levenbergd@assembly.state.ny.us.
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This week MARKS THE BEGINING OF MY THIRD YEAR WITING MY COLUMN. You can read my column on this topic exclusively on line(see link below)or in this weeks NORTH COUNTY NEWS on sale now. I am worth the seventy-five cents. Look for my column IN MY OPINION(page 10) in the editorial section. Better yet as this column is exclusive to the North County News on a regular basis and will be covering the local political scene, take out a subscription. Click on the North County News link below and go to Subscribe. Between this blog and The North County News you will have all the information to make a vote based on substance.
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EDITOR'S NOTE:
All articles re-printed in this blog from the North County News are with the permission of Bruce Apar Publisher and Editor-in-Chief
05/09/09
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