Legislators will be in Albany with session at 3:00 today. 2009-legislative-calendar
Note that they will be in town Monday through Thursday the entire week of March. Start planning your visits now.
Author: blairsebastian
Governor Patterson’s State of the State Address
The governor’s speech before a joint session of the Legislature, scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday, opens the 2009 legislative session. Senate leadership met last night Continue reading
More on Rural Rent Cuts
Users of the Rural Rental Assistance Program know that this unique NYS Program allows us to leverage funds for new construction of rental housing- a program that is all be gone in other states. Now the State is looking to cut the program- no new units and fund most of this year’s expiring units with HUD Section 8 project based rental assistance. So it “fixes” the current crisis for this year, but what about next year? Will there be any more HUD Section 8 available? They also have negotiated a one year decrease in deposits to project reserves to save money on rents. Will that do these units any good? A short term solution at best
The Governor proposes to cut
Governor Patterson released his Executive Budget Proposal for New York 09/10 fiscal year. RPC and NPC cuts were made by about half which roughly translates into a cut from the current $90,900 (RPC) to approximately $52,000. Bonded capital programs are proposed for the Housing Trust Fund at $29 million; $25 million for AHC and HHAP at $25 million with the usual ad on for AIDS housing. RARP and UI are zeroed out and so is Main Street. $400,000 is proposed for RESTORE
One very large concern is the proposed cut to the Rural Rental Assistance Program. Continue reading
Some Good News
The selection of Shaun Donovan, to be HUD Secretary is good news for affordable housing and New York’s future partnership. Great pick!
Rural Advocates Adopt Three Point Platform
NYS Rural Advocates agreed to join other affordable housing organizations in New York State and adopt a common platform. It consists of a $500 million budget request to support affordable housing infrastructure, create jobs and leverage private investments, full funding for the non profit delivery system of affordable housing, the Preservation Program and opposition to expanding prevailing wage requirements to affordable housing projects. Joint meetings in Albany and in the Districts, to educate our legislators on these important points are currently being planned
Something completely different
Statement from Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm A. Smith
“Today I am announcing that the Democratic Members of the Senate have elected to cease negotiations on reorganization matters with all three Senators as discussed both in private and in the press. We are suspending negotiations, effective immediately, because to do so otherwise would reduce our moral standing and the long-term Senate Democratic commitment to reform and to change. Continue reading
Upstate moves farther from Albany
With the latest news from NYS Democrats, upstate Senators will hardly be in a good position to be making any deals in Albany next year. Senator Smith is to become Senate president pro tem, Espada majority leader, Kruger the Chair of the Finance Committee, and Diaz Chair of the Aging Committee.
With upstate Republican Senators suddenly talking about a coalition, there are only four Senators north of NYC in the majority party:
Neil Breslin, Bill Stachowski, Antoine Thompson, Darrel Aubertine and David Valesky
Still Time for Budget Cuts
The Senate will return to Albany to reconsider budget cuts for this fiscal year on December 15. The Assembly has not agreed to return, but we still have a few weeks until then – so draw down any pending funds, expedite contracts when possible and keep your budgets lean!
RPCs Stimulating the Economy
Preservation Companies sponsored many of the 2008 Main Street Awards, recently announced by NYS Division of Housing. Once again, it is the RPCs and NPCs that are the catalyst to local economic development in our upstate communities. Well done!
NEW YORK STATE RURAL ADVOCATES 