WARSAW — State Sen. Patrick Gallivan continues to try to make New York State and Wyoming County a better place to live.
That was the message he conveyed Friday as guest speaker at the organizational meeting of the Wyoming County Board of Supervisors.
“Positive steps were taken in 2014 to get us closer to that goal,” he said.
Gallivan, R-Elma, has represented the 59th Senate District for the past four years. His speech on Friday touched on topics of interest to Wyoming County citizens and their elected officials, economic development, farming, education and lessen the burden caused by state-mandated spending.
“Perhaps nothing is more important than mandate relief. And there is no bigger state mandate than Medicaid,” Gallivan said.
Steps taken to reduce the Medicaid burden placed on counties by Albany include a cap on annual increases in county expenses, which began in 2013.
“This year there will be no increase in the local cost. The saving to Wyoming County will be $855,000 over the next four years.
“Statewide, the savings will be nearly $1.2 billion,” Gallivan said.
The state budget includes an extra $8 million for agricultural initiatives such as expanded marketing, agri-tourism, preservation of family farms, Ag in the Classroom program and Young Farmers NY program, Gallivan said.
Wyoming County received $450,000 for a new Agri-Business Center. The facility is slated to open in 2015, the senator said.
“Our Agriculture Advisory Committee also continues to grow and plays a critical role in keeping me informed about issues that need our attention. Participation among our Wyoming County representatives has been excellent and I thank them for their involvement,” Gallivan said.
One highlight of 2014 was to have State Agriculture & Markets Commissioner Richard Ball attend the Wyoming County Fair.
Gallivan said one his most important jobs in Albany is to ensure that rural, low-wealth school districts receive adequate educational funding.
“In the 2014 budget, we succeeded in providing more money for education. The Senate fought to secure an additional $1 billion in state aid,” the senator said.
Four school districts, Warsaw, Attica, Letchworth and Perry, received funding for school resource officers, he said.
Other Senate highlights from 2014:
— Accelerated funding for reconstruction of Main Street in Arcade.
— Legislation to expand Wyoming County Veterans Memorial Highway.
— Approval of the use of crossbows for big game hunting.
— Gallivan also sponsored three bills last year to repeal the SAFE Act, a state gun control law enacted in 2013.
“The SAFE Act continues to be a thorn for law abiding citizens and I continue to oppose this law,” he said.
The senator, a Bergen native and former Erie County Sheriff, said his priorities for 2015 include a comprehensive review of the criminal justice system. Other goals are similar to 2014, economic development, regulatory reform, mandate relief, farming, education and transportation.
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