UPDATED 12/10/2021 - NYCOM Lobbying Efforts

Posted December 9, 2021
On behalf of the Village of Tuxedo Park, I want to thank the New York State Conference of Mayors (NYCOM) for advocating the state on our behalf. 

In this instance, for strongly advocating for the state to establish a program that would provide an annual stream of state funding to every municipality that owns or maintains water, sanitary sewer, or stormwater system.

The Village of Tuxedo Park supports your effort 110%. Our village has one of the state's oldest sewers, water delivery infrastructures, and stormwater systems, and its maintenance and repair account for much of our property tax. Our primary source of revenue is residential because we have no commercial or industrial zoning within our village - making our situation even more unique.

Mayor Mac

McFadden letter to NYCOM is below:

[NYCOM response]

Mayor,

This is fantastic.  Thank you so much!

Barbara Van Epps, Deputy Director at NYS Conference of Mayors

FOLLOW UP - DECEMBER 10, 2021

Dear Mayor:

Notwithstanding the vigorous lobbying efforts of NYCOM and our members, the past 12 state budgets have failed to provide an increase in municipal aid ("AIM funding"). In some years during that period, there have actually been proposed cuts that we had to successfully fight to get restored. Most members of the State Legislature have told us they support an increase in municipal aid, but pointed to then-Governor Cuomo as the obstacle to securing an overdue increase in AIM funding.

Now, circumstances have changed. We have a new Governor who, as a former local official, has stated her desire to support and work closely with municipal governments. Additionally, the state fiscal picture is stronger than it has ever been.  NYCOM is ready to seize on this opportunity and request that you support us in this effort. I ask that you sign-on to the attached letter to Governor Hochul, in which we provide a framework for our request for a $210 million increase in municipal aid. 

We are urging Governor Hochul to continue the AIM program at its $715 million level, but also provide for a $210 million increase in municipal aid via a new program we are calling the "Municipal Investment Initiative." This program would include a straightforward formula that determines a municipality's aid allocation based on rational factors such as population, level of services provided, poverty rate and percentage of tax exempt property. We also are asking that she put an end to the state's irresponsible practice of intercepting a portion of local sales tax revenue to pay for the state's obligation to fund municipal aid.

Please use this link to join our sign-on letter by Wednesday, December 15th. With the support of New York's 600 mayors, we greatly improve our chances for success. Thank you for your leadership and your service to your community.

Regards,

Peter A. Baynes

NYCOM Executive Director

cc: Managers and Administrators

Peter Baynes Letter to NYS Gov Hochul is below: