"Doing Things Differently….To Stabilize Taxes and Promote Economic Growth"

In spite of a veto-proof Republican majority on the County Legislature, the Democratic Minority had a number of accomplishments in 2007on behalf of the citizens or Rensselaer County, including the following:

Reducing Taxes and Spending: Voted against the 5% increase in County property taxes. Proposed various budget cuts, including pay cuts for elected officials and political appointees, to reduce spending.

Inter-municipal Cooperation: Worked with County and Town officials resulting in a cooperative arrangement between the Town of East Greenbush and the County Sewer District. We secured $75,000 in State funding from Assemblyman Ron Canestrari to support cooperation between the Town of East Greenbush and the County Sewer District. Proposed inter-municipal cooperation to reduce highway maintenance costs, leading to a cooperative application for grant funding between the County and towns.

Planning: Our persistence led to the development of 3-year financial projections by the County Finance Department to better manage County finances.

Tourism: Sponsored legislation for the establishment of a dedicated tourism fund for the County, to be financed with surplus bed taxes paid by visitors to Rensselaer County hotels. Proposed legislation calling for the appointment of a County Historian to better promote the County’s rich history, art, cultural and agri-tourism efforts.

Agriculture: Worked in a bipartisan manner with County leadership and Congresswoman Kirstin Gillibrand to prevent closure of the USDA’s Farm Services Agency office in Rensselaer County. Worked with town officials to allow the Rensselaer County Farmer’s Market to build a storage shed and allow for future growth at its North Greenbush location.

Environment: Sponsored legislation to fill the vacant Environmental Management Council Director position. Proposed the re-establishment of the Environmental Management Council to represent citizen’s concerns about environmental issues throughout Rensselaer County. Requested the EMC Director to develop a plan to reduce the County’s contribution to global warming. Enacted legislation to reduce the use of Styrofoam products by the County. Opposed siting of a PCB dewatering facility in the Town of East Greenbush. Supported adoption of an expanded Bottle Bill by the State of New York.

Quality of Life Issues: Opposed cuts to County Sherriff’s road patrols. Worked with Rensselaer County Alliance for Trails to secure a grant to map recreational trails in the County.

The overshadowing issue for the County in 2008 is the state of the County’s finances and the spiraling tax increases that have been instituted by the Legislature's Republican Majority and the Republican County Executive. We believe their mismanagement and failure to plan for the County’s future have contributed to these financial problems.

For 2008, the Democratic Minority will focus on the following:

1) Encourage long-range planning to stabilize taxes

2) Encourage government efficiency and shared services to reduce the cost of government

3) Promote tourism and agri-tourism to improve the Rensselaer County economy

4) Protect the local environment to maintain and improve our quality of life

5) Repeal pay raises granted to elected officials and political appointees