County Conversations

Creating Healthy Infrastructure in NY Communities

This episode focuses on a grant opportunity for municipalities and schools across New York that’s designed to bring world-class healthy infrastructure to public spaces. MVP Health Care has extended its statewide partnership with National Fitness Campaign (NFC) to launch an additional $650,000 in grant funding to bring world-class healthy infrastructure to public spaces with Fitness Courts, along with consulting, funding, and community programming support.  Joining NYSAC’s Multimedia Specialist Kate Pierce-Nimz for the conversation is Trent Matthias, Director of the National Fitness Campaign.

ABCs of Cybersecurity

This episode features a round-table discussion from our recent ABCs of Cybersecurity webinar that provides elected local leaders an understanding of what to prioritize and where to focus limited resources to protect residents and government systems against cyber threats. NYSAC’s Deputy Director Mark LaVigne is joined by Justin DePalmo, Vice President, and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) and Dr. John Sahlin, Director of Cyber Solutions for GDIT Defense Division.

Donate Life: Raising Awareness for Organ Donation & Transplantation

In New York State 8,000 people are waiting for a life-saving organ donation, and 1,100 people have been waiting for 5 years or more.  This episode features a conversation on how counties and local municipalities can raise awareness about organ, eye, and tissue donation. Joining NYSAC’s Multimedia Specialist Kate Pierce-Nimz is Aisha Tator, Executive Director at Donate Life New York State, as well as Amna Anwar, a fashion and beauty advice expert who is a recipient of a heart transplant.

Centering and Celebrating Public Health

This episode highlights National Public Health Week and the workforce and services local health departments provide to keep New York State communities healthy and safe. Joining NYSAC’s Multimedia Specialist Kate Pierce-Nimz is Sarah Ravenhall, Executive Director of the New York State Association of County Health Officials (NYSACHO).

State Budget Briefing for County Leaders

This episode features a briefing for county leaders on the status of the New York state executive budget,  items of concern for local governments, and opportunities for continued advocacy.

NYSAC’s Executive Director Stephen Acquario leads the briefing, and is accompanied by NYSAC’s Legislative Director Ryan Gregoire, and Deputy Director Mark LaVigne.

Cost Shift Countdown

In this episode of County Conversations, we discuss one of the biggest issues facing counties in this year's budget - the governor's proposal to shift $625 million in Medicaid costs onto counties by ending the sharing of federal eFMAP payments.

For more information, be sure to visit CostShiftCountdown.com

Joining NYSAC's Communications Manager Tom Oldfather for the conversation is NYSAC Legislative Director Ryan Gregoire.

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