March Session Update

Despite State Policies, Onondaga County Legislature Protects the Community’s Interests and Guards Against Tax Hikes

The March Legislative Session was marked by in-depth discussion and great bipartisanship. Our Republican Caucus took the lead on important projects for Onondaga County residents and, with the partnership of those across the aisle, passed resolutions that will have significant impacts for years to come.

This month, legislators came together to overcome a budgeting shortfall caused by unscrupulous policies out of Albany. New York State has long been a fiscal partner with localities, specifically by bearing the burden of certain service expenses that are mandated to the Counties. Suddenly and without warning, downstate leaders rescinded reimbursements that had been promised and budgeted for by County leaders. Not only were reimbursements cut, but the State curiously charged us an additional amount equivalent to the cost savings we saw last year. Altogether, Onondaga County had to come up with an additional $2,480,163 because of our state leaders’ underhanded fiscal practices.

Thanks to a commitment to fiscal responsibility out of this Legislature, and the dedication of County department heads to run streamlined offices, we were able to pass Transfer Resolutions, moving money from accounts with excess to those that were forced into an artificial shortfall. All of this was done without any additional or future cost to County taxpayers.

County Legislators also came together to green-light improvements to the former Electronics Parkway Army Reserve Center. This facility is now County owned and will be used to house Emergency Communications once the renovations are complete. It will centralize the department’s emergency response, keeping the County’s disaster response resources in a central location.

The work of the Legislature is not possible without the help of committed supporters. It is important that we work together, because when we do, we see incredible progress being made that is to the benefit of the whole community. March session was an important one, and we look forward to maintaining the positive trajectory for many more months to come.