County Conversations

Budget Buster: Analyzing the Governor’s Proposal to Shift Millions in Medicaid Costs to Counties

This episode analyzes a proposal in Governor Hochul’s recently released 2024 Executive Budget that would end the longstanding practice of sharing federal Medicaid funding with counties.

This unprecedented state policy shift would require local taxpayers to pay up to $1 billion in new Medicaid costs by pocketing Enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Program (eFMAP) funds that were earmarked to go directly to local governments to help hold property taxes down.

NYSAC’s Legislative Director Ryan Gregoire is joined by our very own Dave Lucas, Director of Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs to break down the situation and provide a clear explanation of why NYSAC is urging Governor Hochul to reconsider this proposal. 

Assembly Local Governments Committee Chair Fred Thiele

This episode features a conversation with Assemblyman Fred Thiele, who represents the 1st assembly district and also serves as the Chairman of the Assembly Local Governments Committee. NYSAC’s Legislative Director Ryan Gregoire and Assemblyman Thiele discuss what’s in store for the 2023 legislative session and SFY 24 state budget, as well as fostering relationships with newly elected legislators and his history in local government.

Our thanks at NYSAC go to our sponsor, PERMA.

The Right to an Attorney: The County Role in Providing Indigent Legal Defense

In this episode,  NYSAC Counsel Patrick Cummings talks with Patricia Warth, Director of the New York State Office of Indigent Legal Services about the county role in ensuring every New Yorker has an adequate legal defense. They also discuss one of NYSAC’s top priorities for 2023 Legislative Session – securing state funding for any increase in hourly pay rates for 18-b indigent defense attorneys.

Our thanks at NYSAC go to our sponsor, AssuredPartners

2023 Economic Forecast with Three + One

For our first episode of the new year, NYSAC’s Executive Director Stephen Acquario is joined by Joseph Rulison, CEO and Co-Founder of three + one. This episode provide a financial outlook for county leaders, and predictions on short-term interest rates and inflation as we head into 2023. Our thanks at NYSAC go to our sponsor, NY MuniTrust

How to Modernize Your County’s Annual Budget Process

This episode features a panel discussion from a recent webinar NYSAC hosted on “How to Modernize Your County’s Annual Budget Process,” by increasing the efficiency of collecting requests, creating budgets, and communicating with internal and external stakeholders. This webinar provided an opportunity to introduce our new strategic partner ClearGov and its powerful, easy-to-use Budget Cycle Management suite.

Rob Battaglia, Senior New York Market Development Executive, at ClearGov leads the panel discussion with Orange County Budget Director Deborah Slesinski and Orange County Deputy Budget Director Gretchen Riordan.

Training the Next Generation of EMTs

This episode features a conversation on Saratoga County’s EMT Career Pathway Pilot Program. Designed as a first step in filling a need for future and current first responders, the program is a community-based collaboration for high school students.  NYSAC’s Multimedia Specialist Kate Pierce-Nimz is joined by Jenniffer McCloskey, Director of Saratoga County’s Employment and Training Department. Our thanks at NYSAC go to our sponsor, PERMA.

Introducing NYSAC President Michael Zurlo

This episode features a conversation with NYSAC’s Multimedia Specialist Kate Pierce-Nimz and Michael Zurlo, Clinton County Administrator and President of NYSAC. We’ll hear about his path to county government leadership, the unique community of Clinton County in New York’s north country, and what’s in store for his presidential term at the Association.

Taking Stock and Looking Forward

As we’re coming up to the end of the year, this episode features a recap of county advocacy and achievements over the span of 2022, and what’s on the horizon heading into 2023.

NYSAC’s Legislative Director Ryan Gregoire joins Multimedia Specialist Kate Pierce-Nimz to discuss outcomes from federal and state elections, key outcomes from this past legislative session, and NYSAC’s top priorities for continued advocacy.

Happy Thanksgiving from NYSAC

We have so much to be thankful for at NYSAC, especially our membership of dedicated county officials across the state of New York. This episode features some familiar voices from our staff, as we detail what we are each grateful for this year. Happy Thanksgiving to the county family, and best wishes throughout this holiday season.

Voters Approve $4.2 Billion Environmental Bond Act

Last week voters passed the Clean Air, Clean Water and Green Jobs Bond Act. The bond act will fund flood reduction, wastewater and stormwater upgrades, park preservation, and green infrastructure and renewable energy projects to fight climate change.

In light of this historic investment, we've revisited a conversation held earlier this year with NYSAC's Multimedia Specialist Kate Pierce-Nimz and Jessica Ottney Mahar, Director of Policy & Strategy at The Nature Conservancy to dive into details about the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Green Jobs Bond Act.

Our thanks go to NYSAC’s sponsor, the New York Power Authority.