County Conversations

Innovating and Adapting to Provide Social Services in a Pandemic

This episode features a conversation on delivering social services amid the COVID-19 pandemic, safely providing access to needed services and programs to meet increasing demand, and expectations at the local government level for the upcoming state budget.

NYSAC’s Director of Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs Dave Lucas is joined by Kira Pospesel, Commissioner at the Greene County Department of Social Services, and Sheila Harrigan, Executive Director of the New York Public Welfare Association.

2021 Legislative Preview

In this first episode of 2021, members of the NYSAC legislative staff provide a look ahead at county priorities for the upcoming legislative session and state budget, and the challenges and opportunities of virtual advocacy.  Joining NYSAC’s Executive Director Stephen Acquario for the conversation are Legislative Director, Ryan Gregoire and Director of Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs, Dave Lucas.

 

To view reports and policy briefs that are mentioned throughout the conversation, visit www.nysac.org/legislativeplatform.

County Leaders Briefing Recap

This episode features a briefing for county leaders that includes updates from the federal, state, and local levels amid a second wave in the COVID-19 pandemic.

As COVID-19 cases continue to spike across much of New York State, NYSAC’s Executive Director Stephen Acquario is joined by Ryan Gregoire, NYSAC’s Legislative Director, and Jack Marren, NYSAC’s President, to provide this critical information for county leadership.

Maintaining County Highway Infrastructure Amid a Global Pandemic

Today’s episode features a conversation between NYSAC’s Deputy Director Mark Lavigne, and Todd Gadd, Wyoming County’s Highway Superintendent, joined by Andrew Avery, Chemung County’s Public Works Commissioner.

They will discuss the local impacts from a reduction in infrastructure funding and how they are budgeting for 2021, what changes they have made in response to COVID-19, and how highway crews are continuing to keep roads safe for all New Yorkers as we head into winter weather.

Remembering WWII with Herman Geist

In this special Pearl Harbor Day episode, Herman Geist, a World War II veteran, former Westchester County legislator, and NYSAC Parliamentarian, reflects on his memories of the attack on Pearl Harbor and his experience serving during WWII.

Herman’s company was the first U.S. Army unit that entered Domažlice in the Czech Republic and helped to liberate the city. At the end of the war was promoted to the rank of 1st Lieutenant, and after the war he graduated from the New York University School of Law and later became the First Chairman of the Westchester County Board of Legislators.

New York’s 2020 Elections and the Impact of COVID-19 and Voting Reforms

This episode features a conversation between NYSAC Legislative Director Ryan Gregoire and Dustin Czarny, the Democratic Elections Commissioner for Onondaga County.

 

They will give an overview of facilitating voting during the COVID-19 pandemic, including a shift among voters from primarily in-person voting on election day to early voting and absentee voting. They will also discuss how Onondaga County has had to adjust their ballot counting process after a number of staff tested positive for coronavirus.

NYS Sheriffs’ Association on COVID Response, Police Reform and 2021

This episode features a conversation between NYSAC Legislative Director Ryan Gregoire and Alex Wilson, Esq., Associate Counsel with the NYS Sheriffs' Association.

They will discuss challenges facing law enforcement amid the COVID-19 pandemic, thoughts on the Executive Order 203 and police reform initiatives, and legislative priorities that both associations are advocating for in 2021.

 

NYSAC thanks our sponsor, FirstNet.  

Reimagining Supervision and Probation Services Amid COVID-19

This episode features a conversation between NYSAC Legislative Director Ryan Gregoire and Bob Iusi, Director of the Warren County Probation Department.

They will highlight legislative actions that would allow probation departments to reimagine services, and discuss issues probation departments are facing including COVID-19 response and concerns with budgets and state funding.

NYSAC thanks the sponsor of this episode, PERMA. 

 

Overcoming the County Budget Crisis

This episode features a conversation between NYSAC Legislative Director Ryan Gregoire and Dave Lucas, NYSAC’s Director of Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs. They will discuss a recent NYSAC report that details county recommendations for overcoming the current State and Local budget crisis, overview ways to maximize efficiencies in local services provided in New York State, and explain why cutting spending just won’t cut it.

 

NYSAC thanks the sponsor of this episode, NYMIR. 

No Time to Spare: Early Intervention Services in the Time of COVID

In this episode NYSAC Legislative Director Ryan Gregoire speaks with Dr. Wanda McQueen, Orange County’s Director of Early Intervention Services about the impact of COVID-19 on services provided through Pre-K and Early Intervention programs, the exciting possibilities afforded by incorporating telehealth services, and the funding challenges facing counties in the wake of local revenue losses and state cuts to reimbursements.