Politics and Policy
Hybrid plan to save taxpayer dollars
New-vehicle purchases for Westchester County now come with a stipulation ”“ they must be hybrid makes or run on alternative fuel. There are, however, exemptions for construction vehicles and law enforcement.
The bill received unanimous support from 16 legislators when introduced. It”™s estimated each hybrid vehicle will save $700 a year in fuel costs.
After driving an alternative-energy vehicle for a period of time, drivers typically see a 20 percent increase in miles-per-gallon.
“A principal goal of the Board of Legislators is to find innovative ways to save taxpayers money,” said county Legislator and Minority Leader Jim Maisano, R-New Rochelle, in a statement. “Using hybrid/alternative fuel vehicles not only achieves our objective of saving money but is an excellent way to reduce our carbon emissions, which is good for the environment and good for our health.”
Drummond deemed ”˜Champion of Housing”™
Norma Drummond, Westchester County deputy commissioner of the Department of Planning, has received a Regional Housing Leadership Award from Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress, which recognized leaders who create affordable and workforce housing opportunities.
Drummond, of Fishkill, has worked for the county for 25 years and has served in her present role since 2003.
AG cracks down on prescriptions
State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has proposed legislation titled “Internet System for Tracking Over-Prescribing Act” or “I-STOP,” aimed at reporting and tracking prescription-drug dispersion in the state.
Schneiderman lauded the use of technology to provide health care practitioners and law enforcement officials a means for streamlined communication and to prevent patient prescription abuse, known as “doc-shopping.”
Assemblyman Michael Cusick, D-Staten Island, is sponsoring the bill in the Assembly and Sen. Andrew J. Lanza, R-Staten Island, is sponsoring it in the Senate.
Under the bill, practitioners and pharmacists would be required to consult the I-STOP database before prescribing and dispensing a Schedule II, III, IV or V-controlled drug.