The extension of the Federal Medicaid Assistance Percentage (FMAP) included in President Barack Obama’s proposed Federal spending plan underscores his recognition of the plight of state and local governments during this recession. New York State counties are weathering dramatic reductions in sales tax revenue, increased demand for important human services and higher pension and health [...]

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How state lawmakers negotiate this year’s Budget will reverberate for many years to come. “Now is the time to reduce spending, reform the state’s local mandate structure and re-evaluate the public services we provide in New York State.” That’s the message the New York Association of Counties (NYSAC) will provide to State Legislators at a [...]

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The latest sales tax numbers out of Albany today indicate that 52 of the State’s 57 counties are seeing continued decline in sales tax receipts—13 of them are seeing double digit decreases over the same period the last year. The most recent data from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance includes the [...]

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The New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC), which represents all of New York’s 57 counties and the City of New York, today announced a series of staff moves designed to strengthen its county member outreach and advocacy efforts in Albany and Washington, D.C. Dave Lucas has rejoined NYSAC as the Director of Finance and [...]

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(A press release from NYSAC) “Stagnant consumer prices, declining consumer confidence and continuing high unemployment numbers are restraining prospects of recovery and growth,” said Stephen J. Acquario,executive director of the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC), which has been tracking a range of economic indicators in the Economy Watch since before the onset of [...]

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(NYSAC Press Release) County executives from across the state convened in Albany today for the annual business meeting of the New York State County Executives Association. The executives talked about the need to make dramatic structural differences in order to realign the state’s programs and services delivered at the county level—a system that has driven [...]

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County leaders applaud Governor David Paterson and state lawmakers for moving forward on a mandate relief measure that will enact major components of legislation necessary for the more efficient operation of local governments. The bill, passed last night, addresses cost saving measures by enhancing intermunicipal agreements for health insurance cooperatives, highway work and public health; [...]

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With the Governor and members of the New York State Legislature poised to address a growing state budget deficit, county leaders renew their call on lawmakers to make smart, long term choices to reduce spending at the state level, understanding the plight facing all local governments and New York State property taxpayers. “We have the [...]

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The October edition of the NYSAC Economy Watch continues to give indications of a stabilizing New York Economy but no clear signs that the state has begun to experience any real sustained growth. More Economy Watch data is available on the NYSAC website at www.nysac.org. “This Economy Watch gives us both hope and cause of [...]

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(Guest essay by Stephen Acquario, Executive Director of  The New York  Association of Counties) In a recent visit to Hudson Valley Community College in the Capital Region, President Barack Obama issued a poignant challenge. He said that technology is a key driving factor of our future economy and it is essential that we cultivate the [...]

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