Local NYS Reps Vote To Bag NYC No Bag Bill

Two of of Nyack’s three representatives in Albany have voted to ban NYC’s Single Use Plastic Bag Law for a year. Last month NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo made a “double your money back” offer to local goverments who consolidate services across political boundaries; and our congresswoman had a lot to say about our president last week. Plus a rundown of this week’s municipal meetings.

Rockland County Executive Ed Day Endorses Governor’s Proposal to Reduce Property Taxes And Cost of Local Government

“Rockland County [has] 102 local governments in the county, 389 dump trucks, 8 road buildings machines, shovels, 47 offices,” said New York Governor Andrew Cuomo at an event in West Haverstraw on Feb 23. “You can’t tell me that you can’t sit down at a table and find savings.”

Cuomo says his new initiative builds on the success of the state’s two percent property tax cap which has saved tax payers $17 billion through 2016. The governor’s shared serves proposal requires NYS county executives to convene local government meetings to develop shared service plans to reduce duplicated spending across jurisdictions.
“The governor’s proposal to increase our current efforts in consolidation and shared services is a common sense concept that promotes fiscal responsibility and most importantly, can stem the rise of property taxes,” Day said. “This approach [must also] involve the schools and it has to incorporate relief from unfunded mandates.”
As an added incentive, Cuomo says New York State will match savings achieved by local governments in the first year. Sources: Governor.NY.gov, Rocklandgov.com

Albany Bags NYC No Bag Law

Governor Andrew Cuomo and the NYS Legislature hit the pause button on a NYC single use disposable bill two weeks ago that was scheduled to go into effect on Feb 15.

How did our own local Albany lawmakers vote on the NYC bag-ban block? Assemblymember Ellen Jaffee (D-97th district, Orangetown) voted to block NYC’s attempt to rein in plastic waste, saying she prefers a statewide ban. Ken Zebrowski (D-94, Clarkstown/Upper Nyack) also voted in favor of the NYC block Zebrowski says he is looking for more information from various constituent groups before considering a statewide ban. NY State Senator David Carlucci (D-28, Orangetown) voted against the block, saying that he is unwilling to interfere in a municipality’s attempt to rid itself of polluting plastic trash. You can read more about “The Politics of Plastic” in this week’s Earth Matters.

And In Washington…

Last week, Congresswoman Nita Lowey put out several press releases on the president’s presidential presence, GOP plans to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA, aka Obamacare) and the newly minted Attorney General obfuscating his contact with the Russian ambassador during his confirmation hearing last month.

Lowey Calls on Attorney General Jeff Sessions to Resign

March 2 — “I am deeply troubled that Attorney General Jeff Sessions appears to have lied under oath in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding his ties to Russian officials. We now know that he met with a Russian Ambassador at the same time he was campaigning for Donald Trump, which is shocking and unacceptable.” Source: Lowey.house.gov

Lowey: Trump “Yet to demonstrate he understands the solemn responsibility of his job”

February 28 — “Our security and our economy rely on strong leadership in the international community that is undermined by policies like the President’s unconstitutional Muslim ban and his $21 billion dollar border wall. These valuable federal dollars could instead be invested in policies proven to keep our communities secure. Cutting foreign aid would also undermine stability around the world, and even military experts agree that’s a bad strategy.” Source: Lowey.house.gov

Lowey Brings Constituent Protected by Affordable Care Act to Joint Session of Congress

February 27 — Repealing the ACA would strip insurance coverage from 2.7 million New Yorkers, including over 130,000 in Westchester and Rockland. New York State could lose 130,700 jobs and approximately $3.7 billion from its budget. Westchester and Rockland would lose $19.1 million in federal funding that goes directly to counties. Yet, Republicans in Congress continue working to undo health reforms that help millions of New York families, without even offering a replacement plan. Source:  Lowey.house.gov

Lowey Statement on Bomb Threat Against Jewish Community Center on the Hudson

February 27 — “A bomb threat was made against the Jewish Community Center on the Hudson in Tarrytown. My office has been in contact with local police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to offer all necessary support to the ongoing investigation and to bring the criminals responsible for this horrifying act of terrorism to justice. We will not allow hatred, bigotry, or anti-Semitic violence to terrorize our families or our community.” Source: Lowey.house.gov

On Feb 27, Lowey announced the re-launch of the Bipartisan Taskforce for Combating Anti-Semitism in the House of Representatives for the 115th Congress, joining representatives Chris Smith (R-NJ), Eliot Engel (D-NY), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ted Deutch (D-FL), Kay Granger (R-TX), Marc Veasey (D-TX), and Peter Roskam (R-IL). Source: Lowey.house.gov

---

Here’s what’s on the municipal calendars in Upper Nyack, South Nyack and the Village of Nyack this week.

Also:  In order to vote in the March 21, 2017 Village of Upper Nyack elections, you must register with the Rockland County Board of Elections by March 10, 2017.  There will be no separate registration day.
Village of Nyack