Counties United In Opposition To Budget Proposal That Would Take $625 Million From Local Taxpayers

One unintended consequence of the proposed $227 billion state budget is that it will increase the cost of home ownership and rents across New York State, according to testimony presented today by the NYS Association of Counties (NYSAC).

The 2024 Executive State Budget proposes to withhold $625 million in federal funds that counties have used for more than a decade to prevent local property tax increases.

In testimony to the New York State Legislature's Joint Budget Committee on Local Government, NYSAC detailed the harm that the proposal would do to local taxpayers and encouraged State Lawmakers to reject this proposal.

The proposal would reverse 20 years of precedent by ending the practice of sharing federal Medicaid aid with counties that help pay for the program. If enacted, the first year of this action will cost counties $281 million and another $345 million to New York City. In three years, the impact of this new proposal will compound, costing local taxpayers more than $2.5 billion over the three-year period.

“Not only does this proposal harm New York's local taxpayers, but it also subverts Congress' intent for this funding to be shared with the local governments that contribute to the state's Medicaid program,” said Clinton County Administrator Michael E. Zurlo, president of NYSAC. “At $7.6 billion a year, counties in New York contribute more than all other counties in the nation combined.”

The budget proposal targets eFMAP funding that was provided to states as part of the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA). In New York State, the ACA eFMAP has been used by the state to help fund the Medicaid program and by counties to help stabilize property taxes and provide other needed local services.

In a letter to the Governor, all 19 of New York's county executives called on the State Legislature to reject a proposal in the Governor's budget that ends the longstanding practice of sharing federal Medicaid funds, known as enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (eFMAP), with counties.

“As a former county official, you can appreciate that new costs imposed on local governments eventually come out of all New Yorkers' pockets in the form of increased property taxes which make our state a less affordable place to live, work, or start a business,” said the letter signed by New York's bipartisan group of county executives.

Instead of sharing these federal dollars with counties to apply toward local tax relief, the State Budget and financial plan divert the funding to other areas in the $227 billion state budget, including depositing $5.4 billion in reserves.

The impact of the state's withholding of the federal Medicaid assistance will be felt as soon as the budget is enacted because counties' 2023 budgets are already locked in place.

“A major factor in the creation of our state's affordability crisis is the state's long history of imposing higher and higher costs on its local governments,” said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario. “The last thing the State should do is burden local taxpayers with more costs that will drive up the cost of homeownership and rent, increase business expenses, and make New York more unaffordable.”

What consumers can do to support local farmers

Farming has never been a vocation for individuals looking for easy work.

Farmers typically work long hours, braving the elements regardless of how unpleasant the weather may be.

All that hard work ensures individuals who live in rural, urban and suburban communities have constant, readily available access to healthy foods. Such devotion merits support, and thankfully there are many things consumers can do to show their appreciation for local farmers.

• Buy fresh foods at your local farmers market.

Farmers markets are many foodies’ favorite places, but they aren’t exclusive to individuals with a passion for food. Everyone needs to eat, so why not eat foods grown locally, which are generally more fresh and appetizing than imported fruits and vegetables sold at chain grocery stores?

Even individuals who don’t typically eat fresh fruit and vegetables can find something delectable at a local farmers market, where anything from homemade tomato sauces to locally raised fresh beef and pork might be on sale.

• Order directly from local farms. Some farmers have embraced the e-commerce revolution and begun selling the foods they grow to consumers via their own websites. Research local farms and determine if it’s possible to buy directly from them. Farms may offer delivery or pick-up, and consumers can enjoy fresh foods even more knowing that they helped farmers earn higher profits by buying directly from them.

• Check labels before buying in local grocery stores. Packaging labels will indicate where fruits and vegetables came from.

When possible, choose items produced by local farmers. This may include fruits, vegetables, meat, pork, or even desserts like pies. Locally produced foods often taste more fresh than items sent from overseas or distant farms, and consumers will feel better knowing they helped to support local farmers.

• Spread the word. Get the word out after a satisfying experience with local farms and farmers. Whether it’s buying food from farms or taking advantage of family days that let kids enjoy a day on the farm, sharing positive experiences via social media or word-ofmouth can be a great way to inspire your neighbors to support local farmers as well.

Consumers can do much to support hardworking local farmers. In addition to feeling good about supporting their rural neighbors, consumers also might feel good when they sit down and enjoy a meal featuring locally grown, fresh foods.

11 Tips For Cooking Fish

Many Christians are preparing for Lent, when repentance, fasting and abstinence are part of the journey toward the celebration of Easter. It’s common to avoid animal products like beef, pork, lamb, and poultry during Friday fasts in Lent, with most people turning to fish to serve as the protein in their meals.

Fish and other seafood may not be part of individuals’ normal dietary routines, which can lead to uncertainty regarding how to prepare and cook the ingredients they find at the supermarket or local fishmonger. These tips can set the course for success when cooking fish.

1. Seafood should have a mild, fishy aroma. If it is overpowering, the fish may be spoiled. It’s acceptable to ask the person at the fish counter how long the fish has been there. In regions where fish has to be transported inland great distances, it may be best to purchase frozen fish so it’s less likely to be past its prime.

2. Most fish is cooked when the center is opaque and the fish flakes easily with a fork. Fish can be fried, poached, steamed, baked, or grilled.

3. Baking fish is one of the easier methods to master, particularly if you’re prone to overcooking fish. Set the oven to 450 F to cook the fish fast and evenly. Thin fillets need around 8 minutes, while thicker cuts may require 15 to 20 minutes.

4. Resist the urge to manipulate the fish too much; otherwise, it will fall apart since it is very delicate. Try to flip only once.

5. Pat the fish dry before cooking, as extra moisture can cause the fish to steam instead of sear, resulting in a mushy final product.

6. Choose the right fish for the recipe. For example, a chowder or paella will require a more sturdy fish, such as cod, while a more delicate fish will fall apart if simmered.

7. If you want crispy skin on fish, start it in the pan with the skin side up. Afterwards when you flip the fillet, it will crisp nicely.

8. Choosing a variety of seafood in a recipe might mean managing different cooking times. Investigate your ingredients and figure out when to add them to the mix. Shrimp or mussels, for example, cook rather quickly, so they tend to be added during the final phase.

9. If you will be frying fish, make sure not to overcrowd the pan so that the temperature remains consistent and will produce crispy results.

10. Watch for bones. Some fish, including trout and salmon, have a double rib cage, and that means small pin bones. Remove the bones by pressing the flesh with your fingers and using a tweezer to grab the pin bones.

11. For more professional flipping results, purchase a fish spatula, which can get underneath fillets without tearing them apart. This advice can put anyone on the road to successful fish preparation.

Margie mpiccolo@fredoniapennysaver.com 716-785-0677

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