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 bi-partisan 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.”

CHAUTAUQUA GROWN FEATURES: MAPLE IS ALWAYS IN SEASON

Chautauqua Grown – What’s In Season

Maple is commonly used as a natural sweetener in many recipes including homemade bagels. Molly Harvey, a Snap-Ed Educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County has a recipe to share:

Maple Glazed Turnips

Try this great maple glaze flavoring over turnips and sweet potatoes!

Prep/ cook time: approximately 1 hour.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon margarine or butter

3 tablespoons maple syrup

1⁄2 teaspoon cinnamon

2 teaspoons lemon juice

3 cups turnips peeled and diced.

2 cups sweet potatoes, cubed.

Country USA, Harrington Maple and Honey, and Pleasant View Dairy Farms. There are many others and most of these producers have their products available for purchase at their farm locations and other locations that distribute honey.

To learn more about any of the Chautauqua Grown maple producers, visit their profile on Chautauqua Grown at www.cce.cornell. edu/chautauqua/chautauqua-grown or visit any of their self-service stands.

To learn more about the upcoming Maple Weekend, visit https://mapleweekend.nysmaple.com/

Chautauqua Grown is your source for all things local foods – find farms, restaurants, farmers markets, and more! Visit the website at www.cce.cornell.edu/ chautauqua or call 716-664-9502 for more information.

JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK (February 22, 2023)

-- Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s Agriculture Program is reminding you that local maple is always in season. There are many local maple producers here in Chautauqua County and can be found in the Chautauqua Grown directory.

Chautauqua Grown is your source for all things local foods in Chautauqua County, including a directory of farms, restaurants, farmers markets, wineries, and much more, and is available online by visiting www.cce. cornell.edu/chautauqua.

In Chautauqua County there are over 1, 515 farms, 52 of them are maple producers. These maple producers make around 6,254 gallons of maple syrup a year with roughly 39,899 taps! If you have ever wanted to learn more about where your maple syrup comes from this is the time. The Annual Maple Weekend is coming soon and is the perfect opportunity to visit with local maple producers, see their sugarhouses, and maybe purchase some maple products to enjoy at home while supporting your neighbors!

Maple can be used for so much more than pancakes!

Directions

1. Melt margarine and add syrup, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Mix turnips and sweet potatoes in a medium casserole dish.

2. Add syrup mixture and stir to coat evenly.

3. Cover and bake at 400 degrees F for 15 to 20 minutes. Uncover and bake until browned (20 to 30 minutes). Serve hot.

4. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours. More recipe information can be found at: https:// snapedny.org/2020/12/ maple-glazed-turnips/

Chautauqua Grown is proud to have 6 local maple producers listed in our directory. Those producers include Big Tree Maple, Brookside Maple Grove, DeGoiler’s Maple Products, Fairbanks Maple, Gustafson’s Maple

1st Priority Mortgage Welcomes Ken Wojnowski as New President

If you are a maple producer and would like to be added to the Chautauqua Grown directory please contact Cassandra at 716-664-9502 ext. 202 or cks83@cornell.edu.

Chautauqua Grown is one of many programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County (CCE-Chautauqua). CCE-Chautauqua is a community based educational organization, affiliated with Cornell University, Chautauqua County Government, the NYS SUNY system, and the federal government through the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. For more information, call 716-6649502 or visit our website at www.cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua. Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.

Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole

Ingredients:

1 Bag of Frozen Meatballs defrosted

1 Jar Marinara or Spaghetti Sauce

3 Cups Water

1 Box Bowtie Pasta

1 tsp. Italian Seasoning

1 1/2 Cup Mozzarella Cheese

1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese grated

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400º

2. Add meatballs to a high-sided ovenproof pot or skillet.

3. Top with pasta.

4. Add jar of sauce, water, and Italian seasoning.

5. Stir to combine.

6. Back covered for 35 minutes.

7. Uncover the skillet, and top with cheese. Bake for an additional 10-15 minutes.

8. Let sit for 10 minutes before serving.

Today, Erie County EBUFFALO, NY (February 20, 2023) – The Hanna Family of Companies is pleased to announce Ken Wojnowski as the new president of 1st Priority Mortgage. Wojnowski has been with 1st Priority since 2007 and has more than 30 years of experience in the mortgage industry.

Before taking on the new role, Wojnowski served as the vice president of statewide sales for 1st Priority, where he oversaw a team of regional sales managers and a staff of more than 40 loan officers. As a member of 1st Priority’s senior leadership team, he has also been a key part of the company’s overall strategy development and execution.

Duffy Hanna, president of Hanna Financial Services, said he’s looking forward to seeing what Wojnowski accomplishes as president of 1st Priority.

“Ken has tremendous experience in the mortgage industry,” said Hanna. “He’s a natural leader and a perfect fit for the role.”

Prior to joining 1st Priority in 2007, Wojnowski served in a variety of leadership roles at other mortgage companies, and he brings a wealth of experience to the position.

“I am humbled and honored to lead the great group of professionals at 1st Priority Mortgage into the future,” said Wojnowski. “I’m looking forward to continuing our growth mindset and increasing our business across New York.”

In the past, Wojnowski has served as the president of the Western New York Association of Mortgage Brokers and as a board member for the N.Y. Association of Mortgage Brokers. He’s a graduate of SUNY-Fredonia with a B.A. in economics, and he resides in Lancaster, N.Y.

About Howard Hanna: The Hanna Family of Companies proudly provide real estate, title, insurance and mortgage services to clients across 13 states. As the largest family-owned and -operated real estate brokerage in the United States, this full-service real estate company has more than 490 offices and 15,000 sales associates and staff, including many of the industry’s top-producing real estate, title, mortgage and insurance agents. For more information, visit www.HowardHanna.com.