As highlighted by NYSAC and the State Comptroller, county revenues remain under significant stress since the Great Recession. In addition to losing revenue due to abnormally low interest rates on county reserve funds held in banks, mortgage recording taxes are … Continue reading
On May 9, 2013 Governor Cuomo announced a broad ranging proposal for future upstate casino gaming operations. Importantly, the plan would provide revenue sharing to all of the counties in the region where a casino is located. The proposal details the … Continue reading
With a more than 3 to 1 vote total in support, the U.S. Senate passed the Marketplace Fairness Act, which would allow states to collect sales tax on most Internet purchases that are currently not taxed by anyone. As reported, … Continue reading
Last week Governor Cuomo introduced a program bill that would amend several sections of election law. For a program bill to become law, it must first be sponsored and voted upon by the state legislature. If enacted: Persons who have reached … Continue reading
On May 7th, the New York State Assembly passed legislation that would reform how candidates for state elected positions can receive public campaign financing (A.4980C (Silver)/S.4705 A(Stewart-Cousins)). This bill would also provide for tougher enforcement of campaign finance laws. To … Continue reading
On Tuesday May 7, Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli released the Annual Performance Report on New York State’s Industrial Development Agencies (IDAs) for the fiscal year ending 2011. The report discusses trends in the types of projects IDAs support, concluding that “IDAs … Continue reading
On May 1, 2013, Governor Cuomo released the Public Trust Act (Program Bill #3), which was created in direct response to the recent bribery related arrests of state lawmakers. This bill applies to state lawmakers, public servants and those “acting in … Continue reading
Advocacy groups converged in Albany last week to push their agendas and urge state lawmakers to act on key legislative proposals in the remaining seven weeks of the legislative session. Governor Cuomo has indicated that there are several outstanding big-ticket … Continue reading
On April 30th, the Assembly passed legislation that would enact early voting in New York State. The bill (A.689-A, sponsored by Speaker Silver) requires that early voting be permitted beginning on the third Thursday before any general election, and the … Continue reading
Governor Cuomo announced last week that his administration is considering delaying the popular vote needed to change the State Constitution and legalize casino operations. If legislation authorizing casino gambling passes the legislature this session, the referendum could occur as early … Continue reading