County Discusses Sales Tax Distributions

Published on Wednesday, April 24 2013, 7:48 PM

At 7:30, Mr. Nichols brought the Special Tax Committee to order and, with the rather entertaining Mr. Simpson absent for the evening, he opens the meeting with his new understanding of his “mission” for this committee.

Morse has set him straight, they are looking at various options regarding the Albany County Sales Tax formula. After the analysis is done, a report will be made to the Chairman and the committee will then be disband. Perhaps, Nichols, who was almost czarish at the last meeting, is not going to change the name of the committee….and, may only continue is “anything goes” tax grab mission, if a suggestion is made in this committee to…wait for it..form a new committee.

Nichols distributes some information regarding the chargebacks regarding SUNY….unlike everything he has been opposed to…say, the leases or any of the contracts…Nichols has seen this and has been looking at it for months….he tells the committee. SUNY will be phasing in changes over five years.

AlbCo Public Safety Committee Calls it a Night

Published on Wednesday, April 24 2013, 5:47 PM

The Public Safety Committee of the Albany County Ledge met at 5:30…and I didn’t get an agenda for this so I’m just as prepared as Mr. O’Brien (sometimes referred to as Mr. O’Neal. The Sheriff was granted whatever he requested.

Next up is authorization for a grant for $50,000 for to be split between the Public Defender’s Department and the Probation Department. This grant would provide funding for the RUS and ROR defendants….pre-trial defendants.

And, the Chair, Gil Ethier, has broken his own record…adjournment happens four minutes after Ethier gaveled in.

Nursing Home Lease Moves To Floor of Legislative Chamber

Published on Wednesday, April 24 2013, 7:25 PM

The Audit and Finance Committee hits the floor at 6:30 and the speculation is that the Nursing Home Lease will move to the floor of the Legislature with no recommendation…and, darned if that isn’t the first thing that happens tonight. The only legislator voting in opposition to this is Mr. Nichols.

Finally!

Agenda #16 which was another Nursing Home agenda item was also moved to the floor with Nichols voting in opposition. Ms. Poulin was on deck next and she wants an amendment to the budget regarding two staff social workers for the expansion of the Children’s Mental Health Clinic. Mr. Cotrofeld wants to make sure that these positions will be revenue neutral (as does Mr. Dawson) in the next budget. Mr. Morse ensures that these people are not “short term” hires. And, we have a pass.

AlbCo Health Committee Meets

Published on Wednesday, April 24 2013, 5:24 PM

The Albany County Legislative Committee on Health is on at 5PM tonight and the first two agenda items, the Bullock sponsored (and Higgins) regarding polystyrene foam were tabled at the sponsors request after some modifications were made to it.

Up next is Tim Nichols post-public hearing LL-D regarding the sale of tobacco at pharmacies. After 29 people showed up for the public hearing last night, Nichols has decided to modify the legislation so that it does not force convenience stores to stop selling cigarettes. The legislation will be back on the agenda next month.

Dr. Giordano, from the office of Mental Health is up next and he is granted the authorization to submit a $195,180 grant for the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services regarding the Re-Entry Task Force Program. In addition, additional funding was recommended for the Hospitality House, Trinity Alliance, Senior Hope Counseling, and Next Step.

And we are adjourned with a rumor that Mr. Ward is out of town and there is no quorum for the Personnel Committee.