Two Down Two to Go. Ryan 2, Jenkins-0, Bramson-0. 4 Cities to go.

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WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2013. Special to WPCNR from County Legislator Bill Ryan. March 30, 2013:


 


Democratic district leaders in Peekskill have given overwhelming support to County Legislator Bill Ryan in the race for the Democratic nomination for Westchester County Executive.


 


Of Westchester’s six Democratic city committees, two, Peekskill and White Plains (Ryan’s home city), have now held endorsement votes. Both cities endorsed Legislator Ryan’s candidacy.



 


“I am thrilled with the results of the Peekskill vote and I’m grateful to the district leaders who have put their confidence in me to work hard as we move forward with this race,” Ryan said in a statement.


Candidates were given an opportunity to address the committee and answer questions before the vote.  Ryan emphasized his experience as an eight-term member and Chairman of the Westchester County Board of Legislators, a NYS Assemblyman, President of the NYS Association of Counties and a Director of the National Association of Counties in Washington, DC.


“Our county is a great place to live, work and raise a family,” Ryan aidded. “To make sure that continues, Westchester needs the strong, capable leadership I can provide as county executive.”


Winning the only city in northern Westchester is significant since none of the candidates for county executive live in the area.  Two are long-time residents of southern Westchester and Ryan has resided in White Plains for twenty-five years.  Many in the press have speculated how candidates would fair beyond their current home communities.


 

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School District Knew of School Aid Increase in January. Not a Surprise.

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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. March 29, 2013:


 As the Board of Education prepares to finalize the school budget, they have a unique opportunity to lower White Plains School Taxes for 2013-14, if they want to and if they did not already spend it on speculation they would be getting it.


White Plains either has a “surprise”  $1.3 Million windfall in state education aid  which they could  use to lower the 3.1% tax levy proposed on White Plains taxpayers, or it’s money the school  has expected to be in the 2013-14 budget all along even though it was only proposed in Governor Andrew Cuomo’s proposed budget in January.


According to Fred Seiler, the Assistant Superintendent for Business for the district, the district counted on this aid all along in formulating their budget. The $1 Billion in new school aid, was announced last week as “new” by Governor Cuomo and the leaders of the legislature, including $1.3 Million for the city school district.


Fred Seiler told WPCNR the aid increase of $1.3 Million announced by New York State Assemblyman David Buchwald last Tuesday for White Plains was counted on as part of the 2013-14 budget . Seiler said when you take into account the decrease in building aid which he described as inaccurate, the 9.54% increase touted by Mr. Buchwald’s only amounts to a $35,000 overall increase.


WPCNR asked Mr. Seiler if the school knew the $1.3 Million was a “windfall” or if it was a sure thing that was coming to the district.


Seiler said that in January the district assumed the Governor’s proposed budget of a statewide increase in state aid in January was “a worst case scenario,” and anticipated White Plains receiving aid along the lines of what the legislature just approved though he did not say how much .


In the most recently distributed Superintendent’s Budget of $192,950,000 on the district website, the district does not reflect the $1.3 Million, listing 2013-14 state school aid as $14.1 Million (see it at


http://www.whiteplainspublicschools.org/cms/lib5/NY01000029/Centricity/Domain/56/budget/2013-14PrelProposedBudget031113.pdf


This figure may be a consolidation, other cuts of other state aid sources may be cutting the overall increase reported by Assemblyman Buchwald as $15,287,127, an increase of 9.54%


During the last three months we have heard much from school districts agonizing across the state, as well as the White Plains district wringing hands over loss of state education aid and the need for more of it—lots of it from Yonkers to Yaphank.


The City Schoo l District in February and March public meetings showed slides obliquely blaming the state for not giving White Plains more school aid on the amount of school aid expected, putting up slides noting state school aid to White Plains was only going up $387,476, and in another slide, state aid to White Plains was going up only 2%, $275,000. WPCNR points out, at no time, was it made clear this included expected additional $1.2 Million in state aid. Now Mr. Seiler says it did.


Assemblyman Explains: School District knew the money could be coming.


The $1.3 Million was announced with much ballyhoo by Assemblyman David Buchwald in a Tuesday news release after the accompanying euphoric praise heaped upon the legislature last week for announcing $1 billion in new state aid for education, though 90% of that aid had been originally proposed in January and made clear to the school district in January.


The school district if they did count on it as their budget expert, Fred Seiler says, chose not to make the budget reflect, or deducted other losses of revenue from it, it is not clear yet how they figured it in.


School District Made Aware, Assemblyman confirms.


WPCNR asked Mr. Buchwald if the school districts (White Plains and others) had been made aware that that Governor Cuomo’s proposed increase in aid of $500 Million could not be counted on. In legislation passed this week, that $500 million was increased by the Democrat-held assembly by $400 Million to a total of $936 Million.


Buchwald, writing from the Assembly floor Thursday afternoon gave WPCNR this exclusive statement:


“The Governor had proposed a budget back in January. It contained a non-building aid proposed increase in funding of $1,204,278 for the White Plains City School District. There were of course no guarantees that the elements of that budget proposal would have passed, however the school district may have taken it into account when crafting their original budget. The final formula number of $1,331,926 is I am pleased to say even higher.”


Buchwald continued, observing ,


“It is also important to note that some of the categories of school aid in the governor’s original proposal were based on preliminary data, and so a direct comparison between the two numbers could be misleading. For example, the proposed (state) budget listed $2.284 million in BOCES and special services aid to the White Plains district. The final budget shows $2.185 million in that category. However, the school district may well have known that their actual figures were below the Governor’s preliminary estimate, and so the school district might not have budgeted for a full $1,204,278 increase.:


WPCNR also asked Buchwald if there was really any doubt the legislature would go along with the Governor’s initial proposal in January for $500 Million in new school aid, and announced it just to make political points:


Buchwald wrote in a statement:


“The legislature did not take a position on the budget in January. Under our system in New York State government, the Governor proposes a budget in January. There are items in the Governor’s budget that are now being included in the final budget (last week) without changes, items that were cut or eliminated, and items added to. That is all done in March (assuming we’re on time, which we are), culminating in the Assembly adopting budget bills today (Thursday, the 27th).


Education funding was an item that was added to.


I am not the one to ask about how the Governor’s proposed budget is used in the preliminary budgets created by school districts. I would note that by passing a budget on time, we are giving school districts the full opportunity to submit budgets to the voters that can take into account this increased funding.”


WPCNR sent e-mails to six of the seven School Board members asking if the board, now knowing of this increased school aid would choose to lower the proposed tax increase of 3.1%–probably about a $100 to $200 saving on middle market homes by WPCNR figuring, and if they would not, why not?


No Board member has responded so far to WPCNR’s question.


They could use the new aid to give back to the taxpayers or use it towards settling the teacher contract, they have options if they did not figure on spending it already.

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The Hot Cross Bun Tradition.

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WPCNR PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE DAY. A Good Friday reminder From The WPCNR ROVING PHOTOGRAPHER and joyofbaking.com April 8, 2012:



Hot cross buns
Hot cross buns
One a penny
Two a penny
Hot cross buns

If you have no daughters
Give them to your sons
One a penny
Two a penny
Hot Cross Buns


What would Easter be without that perennial baking favorite from childhood: Hot Cross Buns? Remember?


Not to mention its ecumenical partner, the traditional Challah.


English folklore includes many superstitions surrounding hot cross buns. One of them says that buns baked and served on Good Friday will not spoil or become mouldy during the subsequent year. Another encourages keeping such a bun for medicinal purposes. A piece of it given to someone who is ill is said to help them recover.[4]




The hot Cross Bun with its ever popular partner,Challah…





Remember the HOT CROSS BUNS song you played on that old Golden Record when you were a kid?



The Easter Bunny at The Westchester Takes a Break Until Next Year


Wikipedia tells us about Hot Cross Buns:


In many historically Christian countries, buns are traditionally eaten hot or toasted on Good Friday, with the cross standing as a symbol of the Crucifixion. They are believed by some to pre-date Christianity, although the first recorded use of the term “hot cross bun” was not until 1733.


It is believed that buns marked with a cross were eaten by Saxons in honour of the goddess Eostre (the cross is thought to have symbolised the four quarters of the moon);[2] “Eostre” is probably the origin of the name “Easter”. Others claim that the Greeks marked cakes with a cross, much earlier.[3]


According to cookery writer Elizabeth David, Protestant English monarchs saw the buns as a dangerous hold-over of Catholic belief in England, being baked from the dough used in making the communion wafer. Protestant England attempted to ban the sale of the buns by bakers but they were too popular, and instead Elizabeth I passed a law permitting bakeries to sell them, but only at Easter and Christmas.[citation needed]


Superstitions


 


Sharing a hot cross bun with another is supposed to ensure friendship throughout the coming year, particularly if “Half for you and half for me, Between us two shall goodwill be” is said at the time.


Because of the cross on the buns, some say they should be kissed before being eaten. If taken on a sea voyage, hot cross buns are said to protect against shipwreck. If hung in the kitchen, they are said to protect against fires and ensure that all breads turn out perfectly. The hanging bun is replaced each year.[4]

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Region Adds Jobs Slower in Feb. Ed Strong. Hospitality-leisure Weak

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WPCNR LABOR LETTER. From Johnnie Nelson, the New York State Department of Labor, White Plains:

 

For the 12-month period ending in February 2013, private sector employment in the Hudson Valley Region increased 7,800 or 1.1 percent.

 


     The final January 2013 private sector job count for New York State was validated and revised upward to 7,418,500, an all-time high.  Included in this number are approximately 300,000 jobs added to New York’s economy since the start of Governor Cuomo’s administration, making New York one of only seven states to have regained all jobs lost during the recession. 


 


The estimated job count for February will be validated in a few weeks and is subject to change with the release of March jobs data.  The preliminary estimates for February 2013 show job counts affected by -0.1 percent due to a monthlong strike by New York City school bus drivers.  The state’s private sector job count is based on a payroll survey of 18,000 New York employers conducted by the federal government.  


 


     Further, New York State’s unemployment rate remained at 8.4%.  The unemployment rate as determined by the federal government is calculated primarily on the results of a telephone survey of 3,100 households (out of more than 7 million) in New York State. 


 

 


The regional job market continues to expand, albeit at a slower pace than last year. In February 2013, private sector employment grew at 1.1 percent, or 7,800 jobs year-to-year. In contrast last year, the sector grew by a robust 1.7 percent or 12,400 jobs.

 

Nonetheless, there are still more industries in the private sector that are reporting job gains than losses. Educational and health services continued with its rapid pace, posting five consecutive months of at least a 2 percent growth or better.

 

Year over year, the education sector added 4,100 jobs for a growth rate of 2.2 percent. The region’s leisure and hospitality industry grew by 2.1 percent over the period.

 

 Growth was mostly centered in the northern part of the region, while in the lower Hudson Valley – Putnam-Rockland-Westchester area, the leisure and hospitality industry has shown considerable weakness, declining by about 3.6 percent – largest February decline since 1997.

 

 Employment gains were strongest in educational and health services (+4,100), followed by trade, transportation and utilities (+2,900), professional and business services (+2,300), leisure and hospitality (+1,500), and other services (+900). Job losses were centered in manufacturing (-1,300), financial activities (-1,000), information (-900) and natural resources, mining and construction (-700). The government sector shed 2,400 jobs over the year.

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Created Panel to Apply Cuts to the Disabled–Selectively– Not Across the Board

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WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS.WPCNR EXCLUSIVE From a WPCNR Correspondent. March 27, 2013:


On the eve of the day when the New York State Assembly reconvenes to pass the budget the New York Senate passed yesterday and today, the fate of the Governor’s cuts to the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities previously thought to be a straight 6% across-the-board, appears to have been mitigated. Cuts to voluntary agencies apparently will be decided by a panel or workgroup and will not be retroactive.


 Lisa Mount, of NYSACRA a lobbyist for private organizations serving the disabled reports:


As you are aware, the State Legislature and Governor have arrived at consensus on the details of the final 2013-14 State Budget. All budget bills are in print. The State Senate met yesterday and into the early hours of this morning to approve the budget bills.


The State Assembly will reconvene in Albany tomorrow to pass the measures. The Governor is expected to sign the budget prior to April 1st.

While NYSACRA staff continues to review the budget bills and compile our analysis for you, I want to share with you an important provision contained in the Aid to Localities bill related to the 4.5% cut to the voluntary not-for-profit developmental disabilities agencies.


We informed you over the weekend that the cut would most likely not be across-the-board as was proposed in the 30-day amendments, rather the cut may be targeted.


Specific language in the budget creates a workgroup of stakeholders, to be led by the Commissioner of the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), for the purpose of developing a savings plan to implement the 4.5% cut.


 The workgroup will convene not less than 30 days following the enactment of the 2013-14 State Budget and recommendations from the workgroup shall include, but not be limited to:


1. Reducing provider agency administrative costs,


2.  Achieving administrative efficiencies, pursuing audit recoveries and providing alternate payment models, services and programming.

At Monday’s Provider Association meeting, OPWDD representatives offered a briefing on the budget language.


A meeting will be held with the state agency next week to discuss new federal programs and corresponding funding as well as to obtain input from stakeholders on achieving the 4.5% targeted reduction.


 Following the meeting we anticipate the development of the reduction plan, promulgation of regulations and reduction plan implementation slated to commence this fall.


As we understand, the reductions may not be retroactive. I am consulting with our lobbyist and the NYSACRA board to develop strategies to present to OPWDD and stakeholders next week.

Once again, we will provide members with a full and detailed analysis once the 2013-14 State Budget is enacted.

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Albany Gives WP $1.3 Million in Additional School Aid. Mitigates 3.1% Tax Hike?

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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. March 27, 2013:


 Assemblyman David Buchwald of the 93rd Assembly District announced yesterday that White Plains City School District would receive an increase in school aid for the 2013-14 school year of $1,331,926 — a 9.5% increase.


Fred Seiler, Assistant Superintendent for Business for the city school district told WPCNR, when asked if this mean the proposed 2013-14 school property tax increase of 3.1% could be cut substantially with this new aid, said “He was still looking at it and it would come up Monday at the School Board meeting.


 

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HUD VS. WESTCHESTER. County Says HUD BULLYING COUNTY

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From the Office of the County Executive. (EDITED) March 25, 2013:


The county position (with HUD) is that it is in full compliance – in fact ahead of schedule – with the (HUD-Westchester County) settlement requirements and that  the  most recent  HUD letter received today is just one more example of the federal government trying to bully Westchester to do things that go far beyond the terms of the settlement and dismantle local zoning.


HUD’s latest action of unilaterally demanding that the county give up either its constitutionally protected rights or $7 million that it was promised two years ago – money that goes not only to build affordable housing but to communities not involved in the settlement and most in need – shows that HUD has no regard or respect for fairness, due process and the judges of the U.S. Second Circuit who are charged with resolving this dispute.


The statement from the County Executive’s office was also partly in reaction to County Legislator Catherine Borgia, Chair of the County Board of Legislators Government Operations Committee who issued this statement:



“It is truly unfortunate and disgraceful that Westchester County may lose over seven million dollars in federal funding, already promised to Westchester communities and not-for-profit organizations to support vital programs and capital projects. Losing this funding will hurt Westchester’s low-income and most vulnerable residents immediately, but, in the long-term, all of the county’s taxpayers will be impacted by this.



“We can’t have any more stalling, political posturing and finger-pointing. I call on County Executive Astorino to work collaboratively with the Board of Legislators and the federal government to remedy this perilous situation before more harm is done to Westchester.”



The county is a year ahead of schedule in meeting the key benchmark of having 300 affordable units with financing in place by the end of 2013. As of today, the county has 305 units.


In all matters, the county has complied with the dispute resolution process outlined in the settlement.


 On the issue of source of income, the matter is now before the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals, where the county is confident that the U.S. Magistrate’s ruling in its favor will be upheld.


On the zoning issue, the county has supplied volumes of data as well as a thorough legal analysis showing Westchester’s zoning is not exclusionary.


The county would not be ahead of schedule in developing affordable housing in the 31 eligible communities if the zoning in those communities was exclusionary. The impasse is over HUD’s refusal to accept the county’s well documented conclusions.

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Gov, Legislature On Requiring Teacher Evals by June. Binding Arb a Tool

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 WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. From the Governor’s Office. (EDITED) March 25, 2013:


Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Senate Majority Coalition Co-Leaders Dean Skelos and Jeff Klein, and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver today detailed an agreement to guarantee every school district has a permanent teacher and principal evaluation system in place by June 1st. 


 · First, the legislation would make clear that all evaluation systems currently implemented will not sunset by remaining in effect unless there are agreed to changes by the district and local bargaining unit.


    · Second, the legislation would give the four remaining school districts that have failed to implement an evaluation system—New York City, Pine Plains, Fallsburg and Hamburg—until May 29th to reach an agreement on a system.

     If a district does not have a plan approved by that date, a one-time binding arbitration process will commence and the state will impose a system on the district by June 1st. State Education Commissioner John King will act as the arbitrator in this process and decide what evaluation system will be imposed.

    · Third, to ensure ongoing compliance with the implementation of the evaluation system, school districts will continue to remain ineligible for annual state education aid increases if the district fails to implement their approved evaluation system.


 

“This agreement ensures that every school district in New York has a permanent teacher evaluation system” Governor Cuomo said. “By guaranteeing that all our public schools have strong evaluations in place, we are putting the needs of students first and transforming our public education system for future generations to come.”

Senate Majority Coalition Co-Leader Dean G. Skelos said, “This agreement is a reasonable compromise that builds on the legislation we passed to enhance accountability in schools and give our students the first-class education they deserve. I look forward to working with the Governor and my colleagues in the Legislature to do more to improve education and help our kids compete and succeed.”

Senate Majority Coalition Co-Leader and Independent Democratic Conference Leader Jeffrey D. Klein said, “Adopting this plan will be a great step forward for parents, teachers, and students. By doing so, we will prevent future cuts to education funding and ensure that every teacher is held to a fair and meaningful standard of excellence.”

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said, “This agreement represents a significant step forward for our teachers, schools, and, most importantly, our students. This plan restores stability to education funding now and in the future, ensuring that our schools and educators have the resources they need. We welcome this agreement as part of the 2013-2014 budget and commend the Governor and our colleagues in the Legislature for their commitment to providing the necessary resources to keep New York a leader in education.”

Last year, Governor Cuomo established a new statewide evaluation system that is one of the strongest in the country. The system is based on multiple measures of performance including student achievement and rigorous classroom observations. The Governor signed a law last year requiring all school districts to implement an evaluation system based on the statewide system approved by the State Education Department or risk losing their increase in education aid—resulting in 99 percent compliance (687 out of 691 school districts implemented a system).

Today’s law will ensure one hundred percent compliance and will help improve education all across New York.

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Don’t Want Uninvited Solicitors? Get Listed on WP s DON’T KNOCK. DON’T SELL LIST

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WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. From the City Clerk Office. March 25, 2013:


The City of White Plains has established a “Do Not Knock” Registry for City of White Plains residents only who do not wish solicitors, peddlers or hawkers to come to their homes for the purpose of selling. This includes anyone who would come a door for the purpose of “…requesting, either directly or indirectly, money, credit, funds, contributions, personal property or anything of value; taking or offering to take orders for goods, wares and merchandise, except milk or newspapers, or for services to be performed in the future, or for selling, making, manufacturing or repairing any articles or thing whatsoever for future delivery.”


The Do Not Knock Registry legislation was passed by the Common Council in December of last year. The City Clerk’s office was charged with implementing it. A listing of those registered will be provided to any peddlers or solicitors every quarter.


Any resident who wishes to be placed on the Do Not Knock Registry must fill out a registration form, which can be accessed via the city website, www.cityofwhiteplains.com. The completed form and one-time fee of $2.50 (unless sticker is damaged or lost) can be mailed to the City Clerk or submitted in person at the Clerk’s office. The resident will then be provided with a City of White Plains No Solicitation sticker, which is designed to be placed on a window or door near the entrance to the resident’s home or apartment.


Mayor Roach said, “We have all had the experience of trying to manage solicitors who come to our homes. This Registry is a quick and easy way for residents to ensure they do not receive unwanted knocks on their door. The sticker provides a clear but polite message to potential solicitors to go elsewhere.”


Please note: The Registry does not prohibit the distribution of leaflets, pamphlets or other literature, including commercial, political or religious material distributed in a lawful manner.

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Cut to the Disabled in a Holding Pattern.

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WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. Special to the CitizeNetReporter. MARCH 22, 2013:


WPCNR received this update from the state capitol, from one of the local point-advocates for restoration of the $311 Million cut (6%) Governor Andrew Cuomo proposes for the Office for Persons With Developmental Disabilities. Our correspondent credits the disabled organization lobbying organization, New York State Association of Community and Residential Agencies.


This is from our trade organization NYSACRA this afternoon.


State Budget Update – Leaders Announce Conceptual Agreement This Week


On Wednesday evening, State Legislative Leaders and the Governor announced a conceptual agreement on the 2013-14 State Budget. The framework, outlined by the State’s leaders, balances the State Budget, holds spending under 2 percent, contains key economic development initiatives and investments in education. Tax cuts for middle class families and small business and an increase in the minimum wage are highlights of the conceptual agreement. To read the Governor’s press release on the conceptual agreement, go to: http://www.governor.ny.gov/press/03212013cuomo-and-leg-leaders-outline-budget



Early in the process, the Governor and Legislative Leaders were committed to passing a State Budget offering a Thursday, March 21st deadline. That self-imposed deadline has passed. While certain budget bills are in print and going through the 3-day aging process, not all components of the State Budget have been finalized. Negotiations on specific items, including the restoration of the 6% across the board cut to NYSACRA members and other not-for-profit developmental disabilities service providers remain at the forefront. Negotiations on this item are at the highest level and we understand key officials are attempting to identify funding mechanisms to implement a restoration.


The State Senate adjourned on Thursday morning and is scheduled to reconvene on Saturday afternoon, though many speculate Sunday is more likely. The State Assembly adjourned Thursday afternoon and members will reconvene at the Call of the Speaker. While some members left Albany to return to the respective districts, senior legislators remain at the State Capitol.


NYSACRA expects negotiations to continue throughout today and this evening and we will keep members updated on the progress to finalize the State Budget in Albany.

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