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t. 914-471-4109
f. 914-
To: Paca Lipovac <SLipovac@richmondcommserv.org
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Could the Democratic Caucus Show a Little Restraint Before Raising County Taxes?
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WPCNR NEWS AND COMMENT. By John F. Bailey. December 2, 2017:
The Democratic caucus of the Westchester County Board of Legislators could hardly contain their enthusiasm. They have lost no time.
Wednesday they issued a press release calling for increases in county taxes of up to 30% “overtime,” getting first shot at rewarding unions without contracts for eight years under the Astorino administration now on its way out, and getting their “guys and gals” in county government, talented or not so talented.
They called for adding 12 engineers to the Public Works Department to facilitate infrastructure improvements, without stating what infrastructure problems Mr.Astorino has ignored.
They said they wanted to keep the 7 positions Mr. Astorino deleted from the County Executive office, without saying why they need them.
They said they wanted to add 28 employees to the Board of Elections staff, without explaining why and what the positions are and why the Board of Elections needs them.
They said they wanted to increase funding for social services which they say Mr. Astorino has cut without explaning why. What has been the effect? Quantify, justify, please?
They also want to replace eliminated parks attendants. Please. How about closing a park to save money, or opening them to development.
They do not want the airport deal.
They also do not seem to recognize the sales taxes the county will receive this year. The county is looking at a $17 Million surplus. Don’t they pay attention?
They did this while County Executive Elect George Latimer was saying to Lohud that he would try and limit taxes in his first budget 2019.
What is so funny about this call for up to a 30% tax increase is that two of these same Democrats broke ranks to pass the Astorino budgets the last two years. The County Legislators own the Astorino no tax increase policy because they voted it all 7 years.
What hypocrisy.
The Democratic caucus seems to think the Latimer victory was a mandate from the people to raise their taxes to provide social services. A mandate is whatever you think it is. You win, you get to do what you want.
Meanwhile, unscrupulous county Democrats see the Latimer victory as a license to reward party parasites and favorites and supporters, service organizations with positions that add to the budget.
The new tax bill just passed will put incredible pressure on the budgets yet to be decided by the cities and school districts across the county. Adding to County Taxes is simply irresponsible and greedy. The Democrats want to get their parasites and cronies into position as soon as possible in the most uncertain tax environment in our lifetime.
Could they not be so eager to add their cars to the County Government Gravy Train? It is so transparent.
The Latimer mandate was an anti-Trump vote. It was not a vote to raise taxes. What sophistry. What hypocrisy.
Now the Democratic bid to raise the 2018 budget and pass it by the end of the year, relieves Mr. Latimer of the blame for raising taxes in the 2019 budget. So Mr. Latimer in preparing his first budget can have a modest increase and say he tried to hold the line.
Nice try Democratic Caucus. But so Trumpian! Donald Trump would say, “you’re learning.”
But very premature.
Look for some republicans to break ranks and override an Astorino veto between now and the end of the year. If they can reward some Republican Legislators between now and December 31, and remember, last night’s Tax Reform vote in the Senate shows that every Republican can be persuaded with the right promise, the new 12-5 Democratic majority in January will not be forced to override and stick Mr. Latimer with a double digit tax increase on the county. Clever,right?
Long sentence but I wanted to show link between greed and maintaining the fiction that the new administration is “government that works for Westchester Families.”
I may have been born yesterday but not last night. Westchester government works for itself.
Calling all parasites. The Democratic Party is taking applications for the new jobs now.
Really, if the Astorino policies were having as much an impact on social services, infrastructure, and the public the last eight years, wouldn’t we know about it? Homeless in the streets. Roads crumbling. Not opening a swimming pool is not a crisis.
The democrats in the caucus have also jeopardized the Playland deal with Standard Amusements and upped the county debt on Playland to around $60 Million instead of the original $30 Million it would have cost the county, and Standard has still not committed to the deal.
Instead of Playland debt being eliminated as Astorino’s original deal with Standarddid, the debt is now a preposterous $60 Million. Can the legislature work a calculator? Obviously not.
If I were Standard would I do business with a legislature like this over the next 15 years?
Meanwhile, you can look for swift tax increases on city and school district levels. White Plains for example has to negotiate new contrats for all its unions.
This is the year to do it before the impacts of the Trump Tax Reform become apparent in mid-2019—the first time people will be filing taxes under the new tax law.
Perhaps this is simply a negotiating tactic by the Caucus.
But still, the timing is irresponsible. Once those increases are in there it starts a tsunami of a tax wave across all cities and school districts.
But the public interest has never stood in the way of self-interest.
Meanwhile, in Puerto Rico–70 Days After Hurricane Maria: Governor Cuomo Calls for Swift Passage of Aid Package
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WPCNR PUERTO RICO REPORT. From Governor Andrew Cuomo in Puerto Rico. December 2, 2017:
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today called on the federal government to swiftly approve a robust federal aid package to rebuild the $94.4 billion in damages that the island has incurred following Hurricane Maria.
Along with the wealth of resources that New York has directed to the island through the Empire State Relief and Recovery Effort and the Mutual Aid process, officials from New York joined with a number of other business and nonprofits in early November to assist the Puerto Rican government in its assessment of the damage.
With the assessment now complete, the Governor traveled to Puerto Rico today to tour the current state of the recovery operations with Governor Rosselló and highlight the need for immediate funding and basic fairness from the federal government for all Americans.
“New Yorkers continue to stand with the people of Puerto Rico in the face of the ongoing crisis,” Governor Cuomo said. “Puerto Rico still faces a long road to recovery, and the federal government should not only be ashamed of itself for the way it has handled this crisis, but for treating Puerto Ricans as second-class citizens. It’s time for Congress to give this matter the attention it deserves and fully fund Puerto Rico’s $94.4 billion recovery plan without delay.”
Since the recovery process first began more than 70 days ago, Puerto Rico has made progress, however these improvements continue to be road blocked by the lack of a comprehensive response by the federal government.
THE 70 DAY REPORT CARD
Not only is approximately one-third of the power still offline with $17.7 billion in grid and resiliency damages, but more than $31 billion in housing damages have been established. The Empire State Relief and Recovery effort will continue to support Puerto Rico with supplies and other resources, but in order to address the island’s most glaring issues moving forward, the federal government must act immediately and fully fund a comprehensive recovery program.
While in Puerto Rico, Governor Cuomo will also meet and thank a group of New York utility workers who have traveled there through the mutual aid process to assist with the restoration of the island’s power grid.
New York has sent more than 450 utility workers from the New York Power Authority, Con Edison, National Grid, PSEG, Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp, and AVANGRID to the island and these workers have been coordinating directly with the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority in cooperation with the United States Army Corps of Engineers. In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Maria, the initial teams of NYPA personnel assisted PREPA in triaging the damage and assessing virtually all of the island’s 360 substations.
In addition to these utility workers, a NYPA-led, 28-member Tactical Power Restoration team that specializes in damage assessment of the power distribution system and a team of 15 who are assigned to help expedite the necessary filings for funding reimbursements with the Federal Emergency Management Agency have also been on the ground.
In the immediate aftermath of the hurricanes, New York stood up the Empire State Relief and Recovery Effort to aid Puerto Rico. In addition to the aid distributed to the island, 156 volunteer medical personnel from across New York’s health care community have traveled to Puerto Rico to provide citizens with critically-needed health care assistance across the island.
The volunteer initiative was made possible by the generous efforts of Greater New York Hospital Association, the Healthcare Association of New York State, Community Health Care Association of New York State, New York State Nurses Association and 1199SEIU. The team of volunteers arrived yesterday and will be deployed for 14 days and will serve at either the Federal Medical Center in Manati or will provide support on the critical relief missions that are being carried out by Disaster Medical Assistance Teams across Puerto Rico.
Governor Cuomo has also engaged the Partnership for New York City, the city’s leading business organization, to establish the Puerto Rico Relief & Rebuilding Fund at New York Community Trust, a public foundation, that will make grants to local charitable organizations in Puerto Rico that are helping with recovery and rebuilding from the devastation of Hurricane Maria, focusing on the most needy households and communities. Funds and in-kind contributions are being solicited from the business community, with a minimum donation of $10,000.
Empire State Relief and Recovery Effort
New York has delivered and distributed to Puerto Rico to date:
- 2.1 million bottles of water
- 2.7 million individual baby wipes
- 1.6 million diapers
- 284,300 feminine products
- 67,000 containers of baby food
- 37,000 packages of dry food
- 23,015 canned goods
- 15,200 bottles/pouches of juice/sport drinks
- 8,600 solar lamps
- More than $1 million in critical medication and supplies for San Juan, Vieques, Culebra and other locations, in partnership with GNYHA and the Afya Foundation
- 225 Water Filters
And deployed:
- 457 New York utility personnel, including the NYPA-led 28 member Tactical Power Restoration Team and 15 damage assessment experts
- 132 National Guard Military Police
- 125 National Guard Engineers
- 60 National Guard soldiers
- Four Black Hawk helicopters
- 14 Airmen
- 156 Volunteer Physicians, Physicians Assistants, Nurses, and Nurse Practitioners
- More than 70 Port Authority personnel
- More than 130 State Troopers
- 24 New York Power Authority experts
- Five-member logistical support team from the State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
- Two Department of Environmental Conservation drone pilots
For more information about the recovery and relief efforts underway in Puerto Rico, and to learn how you can assist, please visit the Governor’s Empire State Relief and Recovery Effort for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands webpage.
New York Republican Congressmen Betray New Yorkers by Voting for the Tax Bill, Governor Cuomo Charges.
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WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. Statement from Governor Cuomo on the passage in the Senate of the Tax Reform Bill. December 2, 2017:
Late last night, the Senate passed a tax bill that slashes tax rates for corporations and is hugely advantageous for the wealthiest Americans. These cuts will be paid for by working and middle class families across our nation. It will hit New York hardest. With this plan, Republicans in Congress are robbing New Yorkers of billions of dollars, endangering the health care of millions of Americans, and exploding the federal deficit.
The devastating impacts both intended, as well as unintended given the rushed, secretive approach taken in writing and voting on this plan cannot be overstated. To implement discredited trickle-down economics and repeal health care for millions under the cover of tax reform before the public, or even every Senator can be informed of the details in the plan, is proof positive of just how bad that plan is.
The bill is financed in large part by almost entirely eliminating deductions of state and local taxes, a bedrock principle underpinning our tax law since its inception. Eliminating this deduction means that New York will effectively serve as a piggy bank to finance tax cuts for other states.
This plan is a sham that does not deliver on the GOP promise to help the middle class. It reflects upside down priorities – it helps the rich and corporations and does nothing to deliver on their false promise to our middle class citizens.
The four members of the republican delegation, who supported the House version of this unfair, unequal and economically devastating plan, betrayed their constituents.
It is now time for New York’s entire Republican delegation to put New Yorkers first, vote the right way and tell their party leadership that they will not allow us to be pawns in a political agenda that inflicts financial pain on Democratic states at the direct expense of the Americans who call them home, all to benefit corporations and the wealthiest among us.
WHITE PLAINS WEEK TONIGHT ON THE TAX PLAN OF DOOM–NOT TRUMP’S THE COUNTY DEMOCRATS’ TAX PLAN FOR YOU MR. AND MRS. WESTCHESTER–TONIGHT AT 7:30 AND ON THE INTERNET LATER CHANNELS FIOS 45 AND ALTICE CABLEVISION 76
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THE MOST IMPORTANT PROGRAM YOU CAN WATCH TONIGHT
ON THE INTERNET ANYTIME RIGHT NOW
wpweek for 12-1 has been posted the youtube link is
the whiteplainsweek.com link is
JOHN BAILEY, PETER KATZ
ON
THE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATORS CALL FOR A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE OF 30% “OVERTIME”
DOWN TO THE WIRE ON THE TRUMP TAX PLAN–THE ART OF THE DEAL.
THE CALL FOR HOUSING AT TRANSIT HUBS
THE NEED FOR MORE METRO NORTH CARS TO SERVICE THE THE WHITE PLAINS RENTERS TO COME OVER THE NEXT 5 YEARS
LOOKING AT THE NEW DEVELOPMENTS COMING NOW.
AND MORE.
Garrison Keillor Cancels Friday Night Tarrytown Music Hall Concert
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The Tarrytown Music Hall is notifying patrons holding tickets to the Friday night Garrison Keillor concert that the concert has been cancelled. Asked whether the Music Hall cancelled it or Mr. Keillor, the Tarrytown Music Hall person said it was Mr. Keillor who cancelled the concert. The Music Hall said all ticket holders would receive full refunds within 10 days.
County Legislators Democratic Caucus Calls for 30% Tax Increase “Over Time” to Cover a $120 – $155 Million Increase in Spending to Fix Gaps in Astorino Budget. Rejects Airport Deal. Calls for Increased Wages, Increased Spending for Social Services, Infrastructure.
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WPCNR WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From the Westchester County Board of Legislators Democratic Caucus. (Edited) November 29, 2017:
After a thorough review of the Astorino Administration’s proposed 2018 Operating Budget, Westchester Democrats have discovered a potential budget gap in the range of roughly $120M-$155M. A gap of this size will take time to fix – with the fiscal impact being an Astorino tax increase of nearly 30%.
(WPCNR Editor’s Note: if the legislature decides to raise property taxes in the county the full 30% they say is needed, the White Plains median priced home assessed at $650,000 value which paid $2,400 to the County in property taxes in 2017, would find the county property tax to that White Plains going up about $700 to over $3,000. If the tax increase is spread out over several years it would be less. It should be noted that the Democrat controlled County Legislature passed all of Mr. Astorino’s budgets the last eight years.)
“The current administration didn’t prioritize needed repairs to our roads, didn’t prioritize funding vital social programs like those aimed to combat domestic violence and child abuse, and has used years of accounting gimmicks to support a budget ideology at the expense of taxpayers,” said Majority Leader Catherine Borgia (D-Ossining). “This year, there are no more rabbits to pull out of the hat – this legislature must roll up our sleeves and get to work for the people who sent us here.”
“A large portion of this enormous gap is due to the Astorino Administration’s insistence of balancing this budget on the backs of Westchester’s workers,” said Majority Whip Alfreda Williams (D-Greenburgh). “It’s likely that any contract settlements with our unions will include retroactive back pay. The proposed 2018 budget, as it stands, makes no attempt to allocate funds for this huge necessary expense.”
“County policy states that our budget must maintain a fund balance of not less than 6% of net operating expenditures,” said Legislator Ben Boykin (D-White Plains), Vice-Chair, Committee on Budget & Appropriations. “This proposed budget puts us at 7.85% – which is just too close for comfort. This is exactly why the State Comptroller ranked us 53 out of 57 when it comes to fiscally stressed counties.”
“Before we even account for the cuts to needed staff or funding for community based organizations that make up for the vital services that County departments once did, this budget begins with a $30M hole due to the inclusion of an irresponsible airport deal that voters have rejected and under the best situation is impossible to have fully approved in time for inclusion,” said Legislator Catherine Parker (D-Rye). “The same deal we put a bi-partisan stop to when it was only $15M of fictional revenue.”
“The nearly $155M budget hole is evident when considering the many unfunded vital programs and services in the proposed budget as well as the speculative revenue projections. The elimination of programs and services like parks curators and child care funding diminishes the quality of life for families in Westchester County” said Legislator Lyndon Williams (D-Mount Vernon). “Westchester families rely on these vital programs and it’s the County’s responsibility to provide them.”
“We have a massive backlog of capital projects in our County – our roads and bridges are crumbling,” said Legislator MaryJane Shimsky (D-Hastings-on-Hudson). “This is, in part, due to the reckless depletion of our Department of Public Works, a depletion that continues under this budget with cuts to 12 engineer positions. This is just blatant irresponsible government at its worst.”
White Plains Kindergarten Registration begins January 4 through February 22. You Must Make in Person Appointment. Call to set Appointments beginning Dec. 4
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FORMAL KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION PERIOD ANNOUNCED
The White Plains Public Schools’ Family Information Center (FIC) announces that the Formal Kindergarten Registration Period will begin on Thursday, January 4th and will continue through Thursday, February 22nd.
All children born in 2013 (January 1st – December 31st) who are living in White Plains are eligible for Kindergarten in September 2018.
Parents are encouraged to call as early as December 4, 2017 to begin scheduling their child’s registration appointment.
Registration appointments must be made in advance by calling (914) 422-2038 – no walk-in appointments will be accepted.
Parents who do not register their children on or before the February 22nd deadline risk losing their sibling guarantee (where applicable) and may not be able to submit their elementary school preferences as part of the Controlled Parents’ Choice Program.
For more information, please call the Family Information Center at (914) 422-2038.
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Kindergarten Registration Period
Thursday, January 4, 2018 through Thursday, February 22.
DEMOCRATS: SPOIL THE PRESIDENT’S FUNDRAISER IN NYC SATURDAY MORNING
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WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER. November 28, 2017:
Friends –
Trump’s secret is out. He and his big donors tried to keep the location of their upcoming fundraiser a secret, but no longer! That’s right – Trump and his friends will be at breakfast at Cipriani’s on 42nd Street on December 2nd, and we want to take our message straight to him.
Instead of being across town, take your voice directly to Trump and his supporters at our rally on the street near Cipriani’s. We are moving the time up to 9AM to coincide with his breakfast and to greet him and his guests.
The rally will be on Vanderbilt Avenue just north of 42nd Street. Attendees should enter the rally at 43rd and Vanderbilt, and arrive on foot or, using public transportation, exit Grand Central on the west side to avoid interfering with security.
Our message is simple: New York isn’t buying what Donald Trump is selling – we stand for inclusion, fairness and progress, not division and fear. Donald Trump and Republicans in Washington have targeted New York’s values and our bottom line, and we are fighting back. We are fighting against attacks on our healthcare system, a tax plan that gives millions to corporations at the expense of the middle class, and policies that threaten Dreamers, women, people of color, the LGBTQ community, workers, and many more.
Please join us, and bring your voices.
When: This Saturday, December 2nd, at 9AM
**NOTE CHANGE IN TIME AND LOCATION
See you there,
Geoff Berman
Executive Director
New York State Democratic Committee
ALL-NEW WHITE PLAINS WEEK THE NOV 24 PROGRAM NOW ONLINE IN
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PETER KATZ JOHN BAILEY JIM BENEROFE
the youtube ink is
https://youtu.be/t8MlmB2S9zUthe link to whiteplainsweek.com is
ON
THE FASNY APPROVAL
THE LATIMER LANDSLIDE
THE BOARD OF LEGISLATORS “SWING” TO 12-5
TOM ROACH AND COMMON COUNCIL GET 4 MORE YEARS
THE JOURNAL NEWS PRICE HIKE
NEW TAPPAN ZEE BRIDGE THANKSGIVING TRAFFIC SAME AS THE OLD BRIDGE–NEW I-287 I-87 MERGE ONLY SOLUTION–WHY DOESN’T THRUWAY AND DOT GET THAT?
BERNICE SPRECKMAN LONGTIME LEGISLATOR DIES.
AND PETER KATZ ON TRUMP THE PRESIDENT