One Step At A Time

It's a small step, but it's a start. New York Sen. Charles Schumer pushed a provision through the Senate to have the Army Corp of Engineers study Oneida County's abysmal sewage system.

U.S. Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., announced today the U.S Senate passed a provision he authored requiring the Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a comprehensive study to evaluate the waste water drain and disposal crisis in the Utica and Oneida County area.

Schumer called for a similar study last week.

The legislation cleared the Senate late Wednesday night and was passed as part of the Water Resources Development Act. The full legislation will go to a joint House-Senate Conference before final consideration by Congress.

Due to outdated infrastructure and limited capacity, untreated sewage from the sanitary and storm water sewage disposal is being dumped into the Mohawk River from the county sewer district, which consists of 13 towns and villages.

I appreciate Sen. Schumer's attention to the problem, but I sincerely hope we'll have a solution to the problem sooner rather than later. We're dumping a quarter of a billion gallons of untreated sewage into the Mohawk River, and by extension an entire network of waterways across the area, every year. The more we delay fixing the problem the more we contaminate the area's surface water supply.

Update:A helpful reader pointed out that Congressman Arcuri has been silent on this issue. That's of particular note since he holds a seat on the Water Resources and Environment subcommittee of the House, which specifically handles wastewater infrastructure improvements.

We're Here To Help You

Strikeslip beat me to the punch on the state Senate Republicans offering up a 4 billion dollar plan to save upstate.

Sorry, Republicans, especially Mr. Bruno . . . You have lost all credibility as to your ability to straighten out the Upstate Economy. What exactly did you accomplish in the last 12 years for attracting jobs while you controlled both the Senate and the Governor's Office? In CNY alone in just the last 5 years: Ethan Allen, Oneida Ltd., Carrier, Union Fork, LaSalle Labs . . . . . gone or severely downsized.

I've been a Republican my entire adult life, but I'm increasingly thinking that the party, or at least the New York version of it, has turned into something I can't support. I take cold comfort in the fact that many of my Democratic friends feel the same way about their party.

The Game's Afoot

Joe Politics has a nice summation of the increasingly interesting lineup of candidates for the fall follies.

The surprise comes from Mr. Trevisani. He and Julian are boyhood friends, but only worked together for a few months. The public story of his brief tenure was that he was offered an opportunity that was too good to turn down at the Masonic Home. The back story is that Julian wanted Trevisani to go to a few meetings and represent the city, but have no real role in running the city. He challenged the Mayor who did not back down and a lesson was learned: don't work with someone you want to remain friends with. It appears that Trevisani, (who has never made secret his desire to be Mayor) has not gotten over it. My belief is that in this one, Trevisani ultimately backs away and makes plans to run for Mayor in four years.

Don't forget.. Robert Palmieri is still lingering out there, yet to make a formal decision.

Be sure to read the part about Leon Koziol. Last night someone sent me an email regarding his run that I thought was a joke. It wasn't.

The email, I mean.

(rimshot)

A Poem

Haiku For a Rainy Day in Oneida County,
With Special Attention to a Defective Sewage System,
in the Style of Buson (1716–1783)


Grey sky, falling water
Basin fills, then overflows
Sewage gushes forth

Feel The Pride

Once again, New Yorkers can proudly say "We're number one!"

According to the study by the Business Council of New York's Public Policy Institute, per-capita state and local taxes in New York led the nation in 2005.

It comes out to a whopping $5,770 for every man, woman and child - 36 percent more than the U.S. average, and 7 percent ahead of the next-most-taxed state, Connecticut.

Indeed, Tax Freedom Day - a concept crafted by the Tax Foundation - is itself a measure of New York's pain.

The date shows how late into the year the average person must work to satisfy the Tax Man, and it varies from state to state. This year, New York has the second-latest date in the nation - May 16.

Feeling proud yet? Neither are we.

Once More, With Feeling

Anthony Picente's battle to give Oneida County one of the highest tax burdens in the state, and hence the nation, continues.

Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente said Tuesday state representatives will likely support his proposal to reduce the county sales tax to 8.75 percent.

Once again, Mr. Picente is not reducing the county sales tax. The "emergency", "short-term" sales tax increase that was passed back in 2005 ends on November 30, 2007. By law, it's over. Done. Finished.

What Mr. Picente wants to do is pass another sales tax increase that takes effect on December 1, 2007. Yes, it's at a slightly lower rate than the tax we have now, but it is most assuredly a new tax. Tellingly, you'll note that he isn't even bothering to characterize it as a short-term measure.

State Sen. Joseph Griffo, R-Rome, the former county executive who implemented the 9 percent sales tax, will support the new legislation, said Ryan Nobles, director of communications and research for Griffo's office.

"After reviewing the information provided in (Tuesday) morning's meeting, the senator is prepared to honor home rule legislation once the requisite paperwork is provided," Nobles said.

He would not comment further.

Picente also said Griffo was committed to helping get the bill passed.

Mr. Griffo doesn't really have a choice in the matter, since a refusal would bring into question his own rationale for passing the original tax. The best thing he can do right now is keep his head down and hope the spatter from the soon-to-erupt crapstorm over the county's abysmal finances doesn't splash him too badly. I think that's an empty hope, to say the least. He's done more than enough to claim his fair share of credit for the tax hike already.

State Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito, D-Rome, who also was present at one of the Tuesday meetings, said she does not have a position at this point and is still reviewing the information Picente gave her.

An optimist could take this as a sign that maybe, just maybe the Democrats have decided to put some chips on the table after all. Mr. Picente has tried to bluster his way through the tax hike like an enraged bull, debuting the idea publicly for the first time last Thursday and immediately demanding that representatives decide on the issue within a week. That's a classic example of governance by crisis and he deserves to be called on it.

Picente said state representatives seemed to understand the need to change the tax rate to 8.75 percent, rather than let it drop to the scheduled 8 percent.

Er..but I thought Mr. Picente was reducing the sales tax? Looks like someone forgot the narrative. Heh.

He said the county can't afford to lose the millions of dollars in revenue that would result from dropping the rate lower.

"I really don't understand what the alternative is," he said. "I think they recognize the significance of having the tax."

Well, perhaps Mr. Picente could enlighten the rest of us as to what's actually going on. Up to this point he's been remarkably vague about what, if any, efforts he's undertaken to cut county government. I'd feel a lot more comfortable with his tax jihad if he'd taken the time to explain why there's not another dollar to cut from the county budget. One almost gets the impression he hasn't even bothered to try.

Update: Picente was supposed to address the county legislature about the tax hike at 2PM, but as of yet there isn't any word about what was discussed.

Imagine That

While Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente is in Albany desperately trying to get sponsors for his proposed hike in the county sales tax at least one county legislator is saying there's another way.

County Legislator Michael J. Hennessy wants to see a greater effort aimed at cutting the cost of county government as County Executive Anthony J. Picente’s sales tax extension proposal comes up for consideration.

Hennessy, D-2, Sherrill, says there are three main areas where savings can be achieved:
• Consolidation of the county’s finance and audit and control functions.
• Possible elimination of the Youth Bureau.
• Cuts in discretionary spending,
Additionally, he wonders if towns could take over some of the work now done by the county Department of Public Works and whether the county is overestimating how much it has to contribute to the retirement system.
"The bottom line is there’s many ways of cutting this budget, in my opinion," he said.

It's good to see someone is considering the possibility of cutting the budget, but it's a huge disappointment that more legislators aren't speaking publicly about the issue. Then again, maybe they are and we aren't hearing about it. I know that most of them rely on the area's traditional media, the Observer-Dispatch, the Sentinel, and what passes for news departments at the local broadcast outlets, so there's a good chance their message isn't going out. Not because of any idealogical conspiracy in the media, although I know a certain amount of that goes on, but because there simply isn't enough airtime or column inches to cover every single political item that gets faxed in.

But I digress.

Meanwhile, Picente and other county representatives were in Albany this morning meeting with the county’s state representatives in hopes of lining up their support for his sales tax plan. Board of Legislature Chairman Gerald J. Fiorini, R-20, Rome, was part of the county delegation.
"I’m waiting to hear from them," Assemblywoman RoAnn M. Destito, D-116, Rome, said of her scheduled late morning meeting.
State authorization — approval by the state Legislature and enactment by the governor — is required before a county can implement a sales tax.
If Picente can get state lawmakers in both houses to introduce the necessary legislation today or tomorrow, the issue is expected to come up at the county Board of Legislators’ meeting Wednesday afternoon. A simple majority — 15 — of the 29-member county board must vote for the resolution asking state lawmakers to enact legislation authorizing the county to enact a .75 percent sales tax.
The issue is time sensitive because the state Legislature is slated to end its session next month. If the state gives the go-ahead, the county legislature would then vote on the tax a second time.

It would be a terrible, terrible thing if the vote in the county legislature came down on party lines. I'd hate to think of the political fallout if every single Democratic representative followed Mr. Hennessy's lead and voted against the tax increase while the Republicans all voted for it. Sure, it would still pass, but then the local Republicans would own it. I'd hate to see any challengers rubbing their noses in it this fall during the elections.

Heh.

Presto!

Over the weekend I had a great time at magician Leon Etienne's benefit show at New Hartford High School. He did a pretty standard mix of sleight of hand and stage magic, but I thought two segments in particular stood out. The first was a tight sequence of rope tricks that he blazed through with an amazing amount of skill. It was one trick after another, rat a tat tat, and his patter and coordination was phenomenally good.

The second was a very polished presentation of the "Metamorphosis" illusion, popularized by Harry Houdini, that has the magician changing places with an assistant locked in a trunk in the blink of an eye. You've probably seen the trick on television, including a segment in one of Fox's "Masked Magician" specials that revealed how it's accomplished, but seeing it done live is a totally different experience. I'm familiar with the mechanics of how the trick is done and, if anything, that made his performance of it even more impressive.

Ready For Launch

It's a beer! It's an energy drink! It's Moonshot!

You won't find many mentions of it on the website, but this is one of F. X. Matt's newest contract beers.

Arcuri Goes For The Threepeat

Congressman Mike Arcuri, NY-24, this week took the unusual step of speaking out in favor of House rules that allowed them to...uh...pass legislation. Be that as it may, it was enough to generate a press release on three pieces of legislation.

First up, HR 2237 "To provide for the redeployment of United States Armed Forces and defense contractors from Iraq". This was the "Get out of Iraq, Pronto!" bill that went down to defeat on Thursday with a vote of 171-255. Mr. Arcuri voted with Speaker Pelosi for withdrawal.

Second, HR 2206, the bill that would only provide short-term funding for military operations in Iraq and elsewhere. It passed 221-205, with Mr. Arcuri once again voting with Speaker Pelosi in support.

Oddly enough, Mr. Arcuri's statement contends that the recent tornadoes in Kansas demonstrated the National Guard's limited ability to respond to emergencies because of the Iraq war. That's a rather surprising assertion considering the Kansas National Guard's own statements:

Currently, the Kansas National Guard has 88 percent of its forces available, 60 percent of its Army Guard dual-use equipment on hand, and more than 85 percent of its Air Guard equipment on hand, said Randal Noller, public affairs officer for the National Guard Bureau. Under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, which is a national partnership agreement that allows state-to-state assistance during governor or federally declared emergencies, Kansas has more than 400,000 Guardsmen available to it, he pointed out. However, Kansas has not yet requested assistance from other states.

Curious, that. And probably worthy of an investigation, since the military must obviously be lying.

Finally, there's HR 2207, the bill that takes all the pork that was slathered on the original Iraq supplemental bill and breaks it out on it's own. Good news for salmon breeders, peanut growers, and spinach farms that have trouble keeping E. Coli off their crops, but not really anything to do with the war anymore. It passed 302-120, with Mr. Arcuri once again voting with Speaker Pelosi.

"Victory to me is bringing the troops home." - Michael Arcuri

Anthony Picente: The Man, The Legend

The solemn statesman/warrior king look is a little over the top, but I think the likeness is surprisingly good. When it's finished we can add it to Hanna Park, just north of the Bob Hope Memorial Clock and to the left of the Unintended But Strangely Appropriate Swirling Sewer Drain.

The Enemy Of My Enemy...

I'm mercilessly harsh on the guy, but Larry Tanoury deserves credit for linking to my tax rant.

CNY Snakepit has a great post regarding Picente's "so-called" sales tax decrease.

As pointed out, correctly, he is NOT lowering the sales tax. He is actually increasing it by .75%. The sales tax increase was supposed to expire in November, bringing it back down to 8%. Even though Picente promised the sales tax increase would end when he was appointed, he is now playing election year politics. He contadicts himself by telling us we have a surplus (good political sound bite), yet warns of more property tax increases.

Hmmmmm...I'm starting to think this High Taxes Suck (TM) thing could be a useful political issue. Too bad the Republicans don't seem to be embracing it.

I'm still upset that Larry wants to take away my beautiful chrome and ivory Ruger Mk II target pistol, but that's a post for another day.

(Editor: He shoots, he scores! In one fell swoop he advances his libertarian tax agenda, sets up the "Why do they want to take my guns?" meme, and solidifies his bi-partisan gadfly credentials. Genius!)

Floaty Sez: Happy Boating!

Huzzah! The state's canal system is now open.

The entire 524-mile state canal system is open, the New York State Canal Corp. announced today.

This year marks the 182nd consecutive navigation season on New York’s canal system.

Boaters are reminded that the corporation’s board has approved the extension of a 2006 pilot program to waive recreational boating tolls for the 2007 navigation season. Pleasure-craft owners will not be required to purchase a pass to cruise on the system during the 2007 season.

Floaty, Oneida County's official watersports mascot, would also like to remind boaters that the canal downstream from New Hartford is contaminated with human feces and sewage, which means a "floating log" warning on this stretch of the canal is something you should take seriously. Thanks to a defective sewage pumping station an average of four million gallons a day of untreated waste flows into the beautiful Mohawk River and hence into the canal system.

Happy Boating!

(Yeah, it's a cheap shot. Worse, it's true. I shed a tear for New Hartford's construction moratorium every time I inhale the rich organic stink of decaying sewage coming off the water.)

Someone Gets It Right

While the Utica Observer-Dispatch and WKTV swallowed the "tax cut" spin on Oneida County's new tax, the Rome Sentinel didn't.

Aiming for a “long-range plan” over a short-term election year fiscal fix, Oneida County’s chief executive said today he wants to keep most of the local 1 percent sales tax that expires on Nov. 30. Anthony J. Picente Jr. will seek permission to continue the special tax at .75 percent for two years. Otherwise, he said, county landowners would face a property tax increase of nearly 50 percent.

Out of the three major media outlets serving the area only the Sentinel offered an accurate description of how Mr. Picente wants to handle the County's funding problems. It's not a "tax cut" or a "sales tax drop". Yes, I'm arguing semantics, but in this case it's an important distinction. Why?

When then-County Executive Griffo unveiled his 2005 budget he proposed to add a 1.5 percent “Medicaid Sales Tax” to the existing 4 percent county sales tax. He said it was less burdensome to raise local sales tax to the highest in the state than to hike the property tax levy by about 48 percent to raise the same amount of money. The legislators agreed and there was no property tax increase in 2005.

This wasn't just a "Medicaid Sales Tax". This was a temporary "Medicaid Sales Tax", designed to provide a short-term solution to the long-term problem of the state's out of control Medicaid spending. That problem still hasn't been solved, since our tax dollars ultimately end up paying the criminally inflated costs anyway, but the state has put a cap on the share of the expenses paid by local governments, obviating the need for the increased sales tax.

Now Mr. Picente has donned his top hat and tails, walked on stage, and...Presto! Chango! Tada!...turned the "temporary" tax into an integral, permanent part of the County's funding process.

County Legislator Michael J. Hennessy, D-2, Sherrill, was not satisfied. He issued a statement by phone this morning, following the announcement. It read: “The one-quarter of one percent reduction does not go far enough. This is not in the spirit of the original legislation. Maybe returning to 8 percent was unrealistic, but reducing it by only one-quarter of a percent falls far short of making our sales tax less burdensome to our taxpayers and retail merchants. The discussion should not only be a debate on what’s better — increasing sales tax or property tax. It should have started with reducing the size of government and cutting expenses. Our problem is not with raising revenues, it’s been for a long time controlling the size of government and the cost it’s put on our taxpayers.”

Clearly, I woke up in the Bizarro universe this morning, because here we have a Democratic politician asking why a tax increase is even needed. Something even more notable since, you know, it's a pretty common-sense point of view that Mr. Picente has, by all measures, already rejected.

Look, I know Oneida County is facing some major budget problems. Well, "major" doesn't really describe it adequately. "Apocalyptic" is more appropriate. Over the next five years the County is going to have to come up with something north of $100 million dollars to cover the costs of infrastructure improvements. I just find it hard to believe that cuts to services aren't even being considered, much less advocated, by the serving County Executive.

But wait, it gets better.

Picente said that he’ll take his case to Albany Tuesday, when he meets with local legislators to convince them to support the plan. “They want to see our numbers,” he said. Asked if he’s received commitments from any state legislators to sponsor the home rule message, he said, “not yet, not until I show them our numbers. I haven’t asked for a commitment. I really need to know within a week. Hopefully I’ll get that answer when I meet with them Tuesday.”

"I really need to know within a week".

No time for debate. No time for a consideration of all the options. No time for a realistic appraisal of different approaches to the budget, including the option for a true cut-to-the-bone approach.

Bravo, Mr. Picente. You've now mastered the art of governance by crisis.

Arcuri Votes For Immediate Iraq Withdrawal

Rep. Michael Arcuri, NY-24, voted tonight along with Speaker Nancy Pelosi for the immediate withdrawal of all American forces from Iraq. The bill in question, HR 2237, was voted down 255-171.

"Victory to me is bringing the troops home." - Michael Arcuri