Senator Terry Gipson’s Cpr Legislation Gets Support From Nysac

For Immediate Release: February 4, 2014
Media Contact: Jonathan Heppner | 845.463.0840 | heppner@nysenate.gov

SENATOR TERRY GIPSON’S CPR LEGISLATION GETS SUPPORT FROM NYSAC

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – New York State Senator Terry Gipson (D-Dutchess, Putnam) today announced that the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) has issued a Memorandum of Support for his legislation, the County Payment Relief Act (CPR), S.5996.

“I look forward to working with NYSAC, and continuing to be a fresh voice against the Albany status quo's decades old habit of passing down unfunded mandates to counties and municipalities,” said Senator Gipson.

“We applaud Senator Gipson's efforts to keep mandate reform and property tax relief a priority in the State Capitol. We need to continue to work together at the county and state levels to lower the cost of government in New York," said Stephen J. Acquario, NYSAC Executive Director.

The County Payment Relief Act (CPR), S.5996, provides state aid to counties to pay for existing unfunded mandates. Each county (outside of NYC) will receive $20 per resident. The legislation requires that funding must be used to alleviate the stress placed on county budgets directly by unfunded mandates. In the 41st Senate District, Dutchess County, with a population of approximately 300,000, would receive $6 million. Putnam County, with population of approximately 100,000, would receive $2 million.

Senator Gipson concluded, “Delivering mandate relief will also allow for more local revenue to be invested in property tax relief that would encourage investments in our economy and spur job creation by making New York a more affordable place to live and do business."

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Additional Information on Senator Gipson’s 3-Point Unfunded Mandate Relief Package:

Senator Gipson’s legislation, S.5126, that would amend the New York State Constitution prohibiting the state from imposing new unfunded mandates on local governments and school districts, has received resolutions in support by the Town of Philipstown, Town of Kent, Town of Fishkill, Town of Poughkeepsie, Town of Red Hook, Village of Cold Spring, Town of East Fishkill, Town of North East, Town of Dover, Village of Wappingers Falls and Dutchess County.

The bill to end unfunded mandates would allow local governments to choose whether a mandate will be implemented in their municipality, and require the state to fund mandates that are unreasonably costly. This will ensure that our local municipalities are protected from financially unsound directives, allowing local governments to continue to serve their constituents in the most cost effective and efficient manner. Since introducing this legislation, Senator Gipson has launched a Local Governments Tour, in which he has met with local governments to inform them of his efforts and to discuss local issues. Assemblyman Kieran Lalor (R,C,I-Fishkill) has introduced the same-as legislation in the State Assembly.

Senator Gipson has also introduced, S.6001, which would create a grant pool of $400 million in which counties (outside of NYC) would be eligible to apply for grants to help pay for their state mandated Early Intervention Programs. The New York State Early Intervention Program (EIP) is an important program that offers a variety of therapeutic and support services to eligible infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. If New York State was to completely cover the cost of Dutchess County’s early intervention programs, it could save the county approximately $9 million dollars.