ALBANY — Sen. Neil Breslin and Assemblyman Canestrari, working with Albany County Executive Mike Breslin and Rensselaer County Executive Kathleen Jimino, have introduced a bill in the State Legislature to eliminate the Hudson River-Black River Regulating District, transferring authority to the New York State Power Authority.
The legislation follows the Regulating District’s attempt to collect nearly $4.5 million from Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties to close the District’s budget gap. The five counties recently filed a lawsuit to fight the bills.
“The District’s decision to pass its bloated costs down to counties was arbitrary and capricious,” said Breslin. “Counties have never had to pay this bill, and we were never informed by the District or given opportunity to provide input before the bill arrived. This is irresponsible financial practice and I am outraged the District would attempt to put such a huge burden on county property taxpayers. This legislation is a step in the right direction to provide relief for our taxpayers and make government more efficient.” (Daily Gazette... Update in Tomorrow's Gazette.) |