The State Senate and Assembly are starting to get down to business. There has been serious budget meetings with consideration of the five year borrowing plan, as the NY Times 3/10/10 reports
Interest groups continue to descend on Albany. Your continued contact with your own legislator and leadership of the Senate, Assembly and Governor’s office is essential to be heard
For those of you who just can’t figure out what the next possible move might be for the NYS Budget, the NY Post reports, in an article here by E.J. McMahon who directs the Man hattan Institute’s Empire Center for New York State Policy, there may be a bonding way out of this budget shortfall.
Thanks so much to those of you who made it to Albany last week despite the foot of snow that greeted us! Those of us who ventured from out of town fared best with the gracious shuttle drivers taking us to the Capitol, Smith, LOB and even out for dinner and back. No designated drivers needed! Our Housing Forum proved interesting and I think some new ideas were shared.
Additional copies of the handouts are available above. Email ruraladvocates if you have difficulty downloading.
It’s time for a follow up: thank yous/ where are we/ and when can we visit in the district.
If you haven’t already, please share any meeting feedback!
FY 2010 Briefing Book for your use on NYS Affordable Housing Programs
Those of you thinking that Federal Programs will fill the gap in your activities created by the sparse housing budget proposed by our Governor of NY…. think again. News of decreases on the HAC website seen here
Handouts are being prepared. Please note the links above to RPC talking points and Legislative Agenda talking points, etc. The meeting agenda for the 23rd is as follows:
NYS Rural Advocates Annual Legislative Conference
February 23- Feb 24, 2010, Albany, NY
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Holiday Inn Express Albany Downtown, First Capital Meeting Room
On Feb 3, 2010, Blair Sebastian, Executive Director of the Rural Housing Coalition and Nancy Berkowitz, Rural Advocates, presented NYS RHC and RA Budget Testimony_02_03_2010 before the Senate Fiance and Assembly Ways and Means Committee. View the video: hearing coverage
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer on January 25, 2010 called on the Administration and Congress to target its upcoming “Cash for Caulkers” program to communities that have older, less efficient energy housing stock, to maximize the program’s bang for the buck. Schumer said that such a move would benefit all taxpayers, and would benefit the Hudson Valley because of its many older homes. Schumer will also ask the Administration to send the funding directly to localities, bypassing federal and state middlemen that could slow down the funds’ delivery. Early reports show that the average homeowner could save up to $500 per year or more on their utility bills, and that homeowners may be eligible to receive up to $12,000 in rebates for weatherizing their homes
How do we continue a sustainable model for the future? Our community demands that we stay relevant, that our core values still resonate, but even a no growth budget results in a loss of purchasing power. Are there different tools we can use to bring our services to our community?
The proposed Executive Budget calls for funding Rural Rental Assistance at $14.8 million. That’s about one million short of what would be required to fully fund all current and extended contracts. While some project based Section 8 will help reduce this gap somewhat, what methods are proposed to implement these cuts?
NEW YORK STATE RURAL ADVOCATES 