Rensselaer County Legislature Urges More State Funding For District Attorney And Public Defender’s Office

By Doug La Rocque
As part of the recently enacted NYS budget, the state legislature approved a 1.6-million-dollar increase in the salaries of district attorneys statewide.  This was the direct result of the Commission on Legislative, Judicial and Executive compensation granting increases to all state judges.  Judicial law links these salaries to that of a County District Attorney.  In Rensselaer County this increases the salary of DA Joel Abelove by $30,850 to an annual stipend of $183,350.[private]
The County Legislature passed a resolution in support of a bill which would reimburse Counties for the additional cost of the increased salaries. The resolution is critical of the State legislature for enacting this increase without including any funding for the counties to pay for it, especially since it was enacted well after the counties had passed their 2016 budgets into law. The resolution calls on New York State to fund this increase, as has been its past practice.
According to the resolution, this salary increase alone represents one third of the allowable property tax growth for 2016. Legislative Chairman Stan Brownell said the State bill to have the State pay for the increase, sponsored by Senator Catherine Young, passed the Senate but did not pass the Assembly, so the County will have to pay the increase this year. Brownell said, “that is just another burden the counties across the state will have to bear.”  Brownell said the County hopes to absorb this cost in the DA’s budget through some cost savings and consolidation.
The legislature also approved a resolution that calls upon state lawmakers to rescind the burden of responsibility to provide attorneys for those charged with a crime that cannot afford them, from the counties and place it back with the State. Legislation was approved by the state lawmakers that picks up the added difference just prior to adjournment.  Brownell said this helps lessen the impact of the increases, but points out the DA’s costs are the largest part of the increased financial burden.  These positions are slated for another increase in 2018, and Brownell hopes the State legislature will have reassumed the responsibility by then.   Brownell represents all the towns in Eastern Rensselaer County, as well as serving as Legislative Chair.
Prior to the meeting, the legislature held a public hearing on the continuation of Agricultural Districts 3 and 4, which encompass the Town of Hoosick.  The Legislature is required by law to approve this continuation, with any proposed changes, every 8 years.  The only change to District 3 was the addition of 9.03 acres of land owned by Marlene Hays of Hoosick.  The proposal to extend both districts was approved during the regular course of the meeting.
Hudson Valley
Community College
The Legislature also approved the Rensselaer County Department of Social Services entering into a contract with Hudson Valley Community College to once again offer a program that provides training, organizational support and educational opportunities for the department’s employees.  The total cost of the program is $111,241, with 29% funded by HVCC and the remaining 71% by the department.  This program has been in effect for 26 years.  The County lawmakers also set Tuesday, July 12 at 5:30 pm as the date and time for a public hearing on the tentative budget for HVCC.  The Community College’s fiscal year begins on September 1.  The hearing will be held in the legislative chambers in the Rensselaer County Office Building.
The lawmakers also approved a pair of changes in the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Department, reclassifying a Technical Sergeant/I.D. position to that of an additional Deputy Sheriff and creating a part time evidence/ property custodian position.
Recognitions
The County Legislature passed resolutions commending Natalie Shudt on her selection as the 2016-17 Rensselaer County Dairy Princess, noting that Shudt’s name is added to “the roster of successful young women who have achieved this unique distinction.”  The resolution calls the merited award tangible evidence of Natalie’s character and commitment.  The Legislature also commended the recipients of the 2016 Scholar’s Recognition Awards, meant to honor exceptional high school seniors and their instructors.  From Berlin, Emma Woolley and educator Robert Gould were named recipients, while in Hoosick Falls the honors went to Senior Jeffrey Brewer and teacher Brian VanArsdale. [/private]