Ahhhh....Relief

On Monday the NYS Senate passed a series of legislation that would provide local municipalities with greater authority of how they spend their limited tax payer funds. The bills authorize localities to deliver proposed local laws to members of their legislative bodies by email, allow tax collectors to send tax statements by email to homeowners who opt out of receiving paper statements and allow two or more contiguous towns to jointly purchase highway equipment.
Regarding the first provision (SB 800), which was sponsored by Republican Sen. Catherin Young, she said it created an unnecessary lag considering the available technology. “Email would be a far more cost effective way to notify board members of proposed legislation and would save money on mailing and printing costs," said Young.
She also sponsored the highway legislation that attacks a costly expenditure for local budgets. In defense of the change, Young said, “Under this bill (SB 764), two or more towns and any villages contained partially or wholly within the towns, could jointly purchase and store highway equipment and save taxpayer's dollars.”
Both proposals passed with 61 votes, but their future in the Assembly is in doubt. The second measure from Young doesn't have a companion and while the email bill has a companion, its past in the Assembly could be summed up this way: A whole lot of nothing!
As far as Sen. Charles Fuschillo's tax collection bill, it has a companion bill from Assemblyman Weisenberg that has traditionally been greeted as dead on arrival in the past in the Assembly.
This seems to be a pattern for the Senate, which seems keen on passing bills and putting the onus on Speaker Silver, as the Senate Republicans and Gov. Andrew Cuomo continue their game of footsie.

New York Loves Lucy.

New York State Senator Catherine Young, of Western NY, has introduced two bills for the upcoming legislative session that pay homage to comedian and actress Lucille Ball.
Young, who is based out of Olean, represents a district near the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center in Jamestown, NY.
One bill authorizes the DMV to create a distinct Lucille Ball license plate. The second bill designates the bridge on interstate route 86 over North Main Street in the town of Ellicott as the "Lucille Ball - Desi Arnaz Memorial Bridge."
In 2011, Lucille, who was born in Jamestown, would have turned 90.
Both bills have been introduced in previous sessions with the goal of promoting tourism.