Local Government News
Blankenbush Reacts to The State Budget
Assemblyman Blankenbush Reacts to State Budget NegotiationsIn Albany, budget negotiations are still ongoing, three weeks after the deadline. Assemblyman Blankenbush expressed his concerns about the current state of affairs, stating, "Five budget bills have been passed so far, and I found it impossible to vote YES to any of them." He further elaborated on his stance, saying, "While these bills contain some good policies, the negatives outweigh the positives. These bills are packed with what we call 'poison pills', and there are just too many to swallow."Blankenbush...
The Beginning of The Budget Process Starts with a Jekyll and Hyde Approach
An unidentified individual expressed deep concern following the deliberation on the public protections and general government budget bill. They highlighted both positive aspects, such as retail theft provisions and minor Tier 6 reform, as well as significant drawbacks, specifically the inclusion of five correctional facility closures without clarity on the affected facilities. The speaker criticized the lack of transparency regarding the closures and emphasized the negative impact on corrections officers and local communities.The individual stated, "I cannot support a...