Bonacic pushes for constitutional convention

ALBANY, NY — New York State Senator John J. Bonacic (R/I/C - Mt. Hope) is pushing for legislation that would enable New Yorkers to call for a constitutional convention in New York.

Every two decades, voters are asked if they want a constitutional convention. However, state lawmakers can automatically put the question to voters in any other year by passing legislation putting the issue on the ballot. Lawmakers could vote to put the question on the ballot for this November’s election.

“A constitutional convention could force major changes and hold officials more accountable. It could end the culture of the leadership controlling the debate which has strangled too many good ideas in Albany,” Bonacic said. Among the ideas he thinks should be considered at a convention are property tax reform, reductions on taxes for small businesses and a ban on convicted drug dealers from becoming teachers.

New law allows increase in Mamakating library board

MAMAKATING, NY — New York Governor David Paterson has signed a bill authored by Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther (D/C/I - Forestburgh), A7185, authorizing the Mamakating library district board to increase the number of trustees from five up to 15. The current board of the library had requested the legislation in order to increase involvement, support and community input in the library.

“I was happy to carry this legislation to expand the Mamakating Library District’s board of trustees,” said Gunther. “Increasing community support and participation is important to the success of the library. During these economically difficult times, our libraries are more important and vital for the community.”

Sullivan sales tax drop milder than state average

ALBANY, NY — Local sales tax revenues across New York State were down 8.9 percent for the first seven months of 2009 compared to the same period last year, according to an analysis released recently by state comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. Sales tax revenues for Sullivan County fell as well, but the county did not fare as badly as most, with a drop in the region on the order of three percent, according to a chart at www.osc.state.ny.us/localgov/pubs/research/snapshot/0809lgsnapshot.pdf. The decline was also more moderate than the 6.5 percent scored for the mid-Hudson region of which it is considered to be a part.

DiNapoli is particularly concerned to monitor sales tax revenues for September, as back-to-school shopping makes it an important spending period.

Nominations sought for dairy advisory committee

WASHINGTON, DC — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that he is moving forward on establishing the Dairy Industry Advisory Committee and is requesting nominations.

In August, Secretary Vilsack promised to move forward with the establishment of a charter creating the committee for two years. Once appointed, the committee will review the issues of farm milk price volatility and dairy farmer profitability. The committee will also offer suggestions and ideas on how the USDA can best address these issues to meet the dairy industry’s needs. Representatives will include producers and producer organizations, processors and processor organizations, handlers, consumers, academia, retailers and state agencies involved in organic and non-organic dairy at the local, regional, national and international levels.

Written nominations must be received on or before September 28, and should be sent to Judith Lindsay, secretary to Brandon Willis, Deputy Administrator, Farm Service Agency, Farm Programs, USDA Room 3612-S, Stop 0501, Washington, DC 20250-0501; faxed to 202/720-4726; or e-mailed to judith.lindsay@wdc.usda.gov .

Visit www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/DairyAdvisoryCommittee for more information.

Liberty gets funds for public water project

LIBERTY, NY — The Town of Liberty has received a grant of $600,000 from the New York State Office of Community Renewal Small Cities program. It is the second year in a row that the town has secured the grant.

The funds will be used to finance wellhead protection and replacement of outdated transit pipe that supplies water to the White Sulphur Springs Water District.

Work is expected to begin in the fall of 2009, with bidding and construction of the project proceeding in spring of 2010.

Some Wayne programs spared from state budget cuts

HONESDALE, PA — Some capital projects in Wayne that are funded by state agencies or by bond issues will not experience cuts.

“Such projects are funded totally apart from the county general fund, which pays for most operating expenses such as wager and utilities,” said Brian Smith, chairman of the Wayne County Commissioners.

The commissioners clarified the source of these funds since they announced that all programs funded by tax dollars will be closely scrutinized and cuts made where necessary.

Projects funded by bond issues, for example, are the Emergency Operating Center/911 Center, the paving of parking lots and construction at the former Work Release Building at the County Court House complex.

“Funds raised by bond issues cannot be used for general fund purposes or to offset any expense other than capital projects,” Smith said.