With the media already pronouncing Gov. Andrew Cuomo is readying to take on the battle with the Legislature over the new budget, mid-Hudson county executives listened to his State of the State address and expressed their views on his abilities, capabilities and challenges.
Edward Diana
Orange County Executive
“Cleaning up Albany was a fundamental feature in Governor Cuomo”™s address. This will be an absolute requirement if he wants to deliver a more efficient and accountable system to serve the people. I was encouraged to hear the need for job creation; keeping and finding meaningful work is a staple of American life.
“The state”™s dismal business attraction record is a glaring blemish on our economic potential … I applaud the governor”™s decision to establish economic regional councils and by involving Lieutenant Governor Robert Duffy to spearhead the effort.
“Medicaid cost Orange County $70.5 million in 2010 for its share of the program. I agree with Governor Cuomo that the program is in desperate need of an overhaul.
“He was correct in saying taxes are killing New Yorkers … residents of our county have been strained to the breaking point. He needs to hold the line on taxes and go a step father and cut them. I look forward to Governor Cuomo”™s plan to cap property taxes. Unfunded mandates from Albany have a very negative effect on county finances. As every government is aware, public pension benefits promised during prosperous economic times are now difficult to support ”“ his action plan, however, did not hint of a remedy for this problem.”
William Steinhaus
Dutchess County Executive
“We were all pleased to hear Governor Cuomo announce one of his first priorities is to enact property tax cap legislation, recognizing our state”™s property taxes are 80 percent above the national average. However, it cannot work without the governor and Legislature rolling back state mandated spending dictated to county governments.
“According to the New York State Association of Counties, just nine state mandates consume 90 percent of the county property tax levy across the entire state. These mandates choke county budgets and leave fewer dollars for local services that are important to our residents. Without relief from state mandated spending, there will simply be no money left for county services other than those the state mandates.
“It does concern me the new governor did not acknowledge and include county governments in his remarks about addressing this crisis. County leaders need the governor and Legislature to stop forcing property taxpayers and governments to fund the cost of Medicaid expenses dictated by the state.”
Michael Hein
Ulster County Executive
“I”™m pleased Governor Cuomo acknowledges the extremely negative impacts unfunded mandates have had on our local governments. Those nine unfunded mandates that consume 90 percent of our property tax levy are a painful reality and have caused cuts in essential services to maintain. They are unsustainable.
“He outlined strategies to examine mandate relief, deliver a property tax cap and the urgent need for economic development activities. The speed at which the new administration can move and deliver results is how these pledges will ultimately be measured.
“Governor Cuomo also addressed Albany”™s responsibility to move away from dysfunctional past performance and move toward true public service. Again, the results will ultimately measure the ability to get bipartisan relief from both sides of the Legislature.”
John Lynch
Putnam County
Commissioner of planning, development
Paul Eldridge, acting as interim county executive until a special November election,  asked John Lynch, commissioner of planning, development and transportation, to speak on his behalf due to time constraints:
“The ideas all sound good, and the regional councils for economic development sound like a good way to bring the state”™s resources together and cut through red tape. He also mentioned bringing in the SUNY system to try to capitalize on research and help the business community ”“ a good idea if it can be done ”“ we may see some incubator business growing from this idea, and that would be a boost for us, since we are primarily a small business county.
“The downside is his ideas are short on detail, but I expect this will be fleshed out within a few months. The state mandates are our biggest concern. They are a tremendous burden on the local tax base. We do not have many places to go to raise funds to cover these mandates except property or sales taxes. We are having a tough time cutting spending, but realize there is no alternative. We can”™t, however, cut the unfunded mandates.
“One concern is the call for a property tax cap ”“ how can we go forward on this if they continue to be liable for the unfunded mandates. We also wonder if capping the property taxes at two percent a year will arbitrarily see a two percent raise in property taxes every year.”
C. Scott Vanderhoef
Rockland County Executive
“I attended the State of the State address; for the most part, it was very well-delivered and hit the right notes with respect to the urgency of our situation and need to focus on economic development.  I was a bit disappointed in the sketchiness of what our new governor plans to do about Medicaid and unfunded mandates, but I realize it will take time to organize the task forces needed to tackle these issues. I understand there is already a Medicaid task force organized and ready to look at ways to fix this program.
“Overall, I give  Governor Cuomo an ”˜A”™ and look forward to an overhaul of the way he intends to work on fixing the state”™s problems.”
