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Report: NYS local sales-tax collections rose 4.7% in 2019
ALBANY — Local sales-tax collections statewide grew 4.7 percent to $18.3 billion in 2019, according to a recent report from New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. While this was slower than the 5.3 percent annual growth for 2018, it surpassed growth in all other years since 2013. “The economic climate in New York state […]
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ALBANY — Local sales-tax collections statewide grew 4.7 percent to $18.3 billion in 2019, according to a recent report from New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.
While this was slower than the 5.3 percent annual growth for 2018, it surpassed growth in all other years since 2013.
“The economic climate in New York state was positive through 2019 with continued employment and wage growth,” DiNapoli said in a statement. “Although all regions saw increased sales-tax collections, the upstate regions had weaker collections than the downstate region.”
The Central New York region (which the state defined as Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, and Oswego counties) posted 2.3 percent growth in sales-tax collections in 2019. The Mohawk Valley area (Oneida, Herkimer, Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery, and Schoharie counties) generated a 3.5 percent increase last year, while the North Country (Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Lewis, Essex, Franklin, and Clinton counties) had 3.4 percent growth, and the Southern Tier region (Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Delaware, Otsego, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, and Tompkins counties) posted a 3.3 percent increase.
Sales-tax collections across the state rose fastest during the second half of 2019, growing 6.3 percent in the third quarter and 5.6 percent in the fourth quarter, per the comptroller’s office.
DiNapoli’s report also spotlighted the impact of the changes made by the state to the Aid and Incentives for Municipalities (AIM) program in state fiscal year 2019-20. The comptroller was directed to replace the funds that were cut by withholding $59 million from county sales-tax collections to make AIM-related payments to most towns and villages. According to the report, the total statewide year-over-year increase for all county sales-tax collections after subtracting AIM-related payments would decrease to 3.9 percent instead of 4.4 percent (See Figure 6 in the report).
The full report is available at: https://www.osc.state.ny.us/localgov/pubs/research/growth-in-local-sales-tax-collections-second-half-2019.pdf
Historic Herkimer Jail Preservation & Tourism Project gets $10K in funding
HERKIMER — Friends of Historic Herkimer County recently received $10,000 in grant funding to help pay for its Historic Herkimer County Jail Preservation & Tourism Project, helping to repair, restore, and preserve the physical structure of the 1834 jail. The money came from the M&T Bank/Partners Trust Bank Charitable Fund (MTPT) of the Community Foundation
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HERKIMER — Friends of Historic Herkimer County recently received $10,000 in grant funding to help pay for its Historic Herkimer County Jail Preservation & Tourism Project, helping to repair, restore, and preserve the physical structure of the 1834 jail.
The money came from the M&T Bank/Partners Trust Bank Charitable Fund (MTPT) of the Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties. This grant was part of MTPT’s awarding of more than $765,000 in grants to 35 nonprofits in the two counties in 2019, the Community Foundation announced.
The Historic Herkimer County Jail Preservation & Tourism Project will “significantly restore the stability of the jail,” enable reversal of the deterioration of jail walls, and restore the historic masonry limestone used to build the jail. That will in turn make the entire building available to an increasing number of school children, regional tour groups as a museum, as meeting space, and for expanded fundraising activities, according to officials from the Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties
Outcomes of the project include offering more extensive tours of the Herkimer County Jail, holding more open houses and special events, and enhancing the tourism goals of the Village of Herkimer.
The foundation says the success of the project will be measured by an increase in membership and purchases of engraved bricks, and through the keeping of a log of all visitors, including tour groups, school groups, and ticket sales at fundraisers.
Other grants the M&T Bank/Partners Trust Bank Charitable Fund made last year included providing $29,250 to the Oneida County Youth Bureau to fund a program for 200 disadvantaged children to tour Cooperstown’s Glimmerglass venue and have one-on-one conversations with professional performers, musicians, directors, and staff.
St. Lawrence Chamber lays out key tourism initiatives for 2020
The Central New York Business Journal recently touched base with Brooke Rouse, executive director of the St. Lawrence County of Chamber of Commerce. Rouse says these are the major tourism initiatives for the chamber in 2020: • Continue to develop and promote the new interactive trails website: www.STLCtrails.com. STLC Trails is a free and easy-to-use tool that
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The Central New York Business Journal recently touched base with Brooke Rouse, executive director of the St. Lawrence County of Chamber of Commerce.
Rouse says these are the major tourism initiatives for the chamber in 2020:
• Continue to develop and promote the new interactive trails website: www.STLCtrails.com. STLC Trails is a free and easy-to-use tool that brings together information, maps, photographs, and user-submitted trip comments for a growing database of four-season trails in St. Lawrence County. The St. Lawrence Chamber administers STLC Trails in partnership with St. Lawrence County Trails and Nature Up North.
• Launch Trails Challenge for waterfall hikes in the Adirondack Foothills and family friendly experiences;
• Support the hosting of 11 major fishing tournaments along the St. Lawrence River — two of which have national broadcast reach;
• Leverage art, culture, and history events to attract more people and spread awareness of the destination;
• Attract Canadian visitors for golf and cycling, specifically.
The St. Lawrence County of Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1965 and currently has about 500 members, according to its website. Rouse started with the chamber in 2014 as executive director. She oversees the day-to-day operation of the organization, as well as strategic planning for the future. Rouse creates the budget and serves on the executive committee, conducts quarterly meetings, and works on economic, workforce development, and tourism projects for the chamber and St. Lawrence County.
Governor Must Prioritize Citizens’ Needs Over Illegal Immigrants
When Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed legislation allowing illegal immigrants to obtain drivers licenses, I wasn’t shy about my opposition to the measure. Providing a privilege to those knowingly breaking the law wasn’t something most New Yorkers could support. County clerks expressed grave concerns about the impact the measure could have on the integrity of our elections.
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When Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed legislation allowing illegal immigrants to obtain drivers licenses, I wasn’t shy about my opposition to the measure. Providing a privilege to those knowingly breaking the law wasn’t something most New Yorkers could support. County clerks expressed grave concerns about the impact the measure could have on the integrity of our elections. Law-enforcement officials were deeply troubled that the law would prevent federal law-enforcement agencies like U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection from accessing important records and information from the New York State DMV.
Now, the federal government has taken action. New Yorkers are now barred from applying for Trusted Traveler Programs like TSA Global Entry that allow for expedited entry into the country. The 50,000 New Yorkers whose applications were being processed will no longer be considered, and no current enrollees in the program will be able to renew their privileges.
The governor is, reportedly, in the process of trying to make a deal with President Trump. Whether he will be able to so remains to be seen, and won’t negate the inconvenience he’s already caused law-abiding citizens.
The governor and his allies are trying to spin this as a political attack by the president on New York State. It’s not. There’s nothing political about coordination and collaboration between law-enforcement agencies. In a letter to the Department of Homeland Security, Patrick Phelan, president of the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police, said: “Our members fully recognize that sharing pertinent law enforcement information and vital resources across local, state and federal boundaries is critical to ensuring the safety of the communities we serve.”
What is political is the governor putting privileges for illegal immigrants before the needs of law-abiding taxpayers in New York state.
Unfortunately, it’s a pattern. Although our Medicaid program is running billions of dollars over budget, the governor insists that it cover immigrants who are here illegally. Although New Yorkers who played by the rules currently hold more than $80 billion in student loan debt, the governor still supports free college tuition for those in the state illegally.
My message is simple. We need to put law-abiding taxpayers first. Handouts for illegal immigrants might be good politics for the governor, but it’s bad policy for the rest of us. It needs to stop.
Assemblyman Brian M. Kolb (R,I,C–Canandaigua) represents the 131st Assembly District, which encompasses all of Ontario County and parts of Seneca County. Contact him at kolbb@nyassembly.gov
Without Civility, Our System Doesn’t Work
When he was just a young teenage schoolboy, George Washington sat down and copied out 110 “Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior.” Many of these had to do with simple manners. “Cleanse not your teeth with the tablecloth, napkin, fork or knife,” reads Rule 100. Good advice at any time. But the first rule the
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When he was just a young teenage schoolboy, George Washington sat down and copied out 110 “Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior.” Many of these had to do with simple manners. “Cleanse not your teeth with the tablecloth, napkin, fork or knife,” reads Rule 100. Good advice at any time.
But the first rule the future president wrote down and followed for the rest of his life was especially notable: “Every action done in company, ought to be with some sign of respect to those that are present.” There are times when I find myself wishing that all of us — public officials and ordinary citizens alike — would adopt the civil behavior of that particular teenager.
Our politics today too often is strident and polarized. To put it mildly, we do not always show respect to those present, as Washington did, and try to make them comfortable. Often, it’s just the opposite. We live in a polity that seems to reward in-your-face rhetoric and confrontational behavior.
Yet civility — respecting the rights and dignity of others — uplifts our common life. It makes engaging in politics more pleasant, more appealing, and ultimately, more fruitful.
I’m well aware that calls for civility in the past have been used by political “haves” to try to rein in those seeking entree to power. And Americans have an interesting, conflicted view on the topic. On the one hand, a Georgetown University poll found last fall, Americans across the political spectrum “agree with the premise that our political culture has become too uncivil and lacks a focus on solutions, and that common ground and compromise should be the goal for political leaders.” Yet they often tolerate, if not encourage, incivility, and want their leaders to “stand up to the other side.”
But stressing respect for one’s opponents does not mean we need to agree with one another. Far from it. At its heart, our system was built as a means of managing disagreement without coming to blows. Treating one another civilly is how people who don’t agree still manage to weigh issues carefully and find common ground. The founding fathers did not expect all Americans would become friends, but they did expect that we could all be respectful and civil to each other.
And there’s no question that incivility has consequences. It makes the work of democracy more difficult: building consensus, reconciling competing views, enticing ordinary Americans to give up some of their private lives to devote themselves to the public good. It makes key institutions like Congress less effective. Walking into a room or chamber where the differences are sharply drawn and finding a way to bring people together is political skill of the highest order. And it’s pretty much impossible to exercise without civility.
Where many of us grew up — and still, to this day — talking easily, comfortably, and courteously with one another is the way we resolve our problems. Especially at the state and local level, political leaders mostly recognize that they have a responsibility to respect the dignity of the people they’re bound to encounter on a regular basis.
This is not always easy. Civility takes discipline and patience. Especially when faced with incivility, the temptation is to lash right back. But aside from some kind of momentary satisfaction, it’s hard to see how this is an effective tactic if our purpose is to get things done.
Because in a democracy like ours, the key challenge is to foster a debate that respects all voices, even those of dissent and protest, and create an environment that enables the agreements we need to advance the common good. The future and effectiveness of our representative democracy require that we get the balance between civility and dissent right.
The reassuring thing is that bringing this country closer to the political behavior that George Washington had in mind is not a matter of enacting laws or passing new regulations. It’s simply a matter of encouraging respectful behavior, one person at a time. If we can do that and reverse the course we’ve embarked on in recent years, then we can still show that a government of, for, and by the people works.
Lee Hamilton, 88, is a senior advisor for the Indiana University (IU) Center on Representative Government, distinguished scholar at IU Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies, and professor of practice at the IU O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Hamilton, a Democrat, was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 34 years (1965-1999), representing a district in south central Indiana.
Pinckney Hugo Group has promoted NATE BRUSA to senior copywriter; and MCKENZIE CRAMER, BRITTANY MURPHY, and JANE SISSON to account managers. Brusa was previously a copywriter and has been with the agency for more than three years. He has a bachelor’s degree in communication with concentrations in journalism and public relations from Marist College. Cramer
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Pinckney Hugo Group has promoted NATE BRUSA to senior copywriter; and MCKENZIE CRAMER, BRITTANY MURPHY, and JANE SISSON to account managers. Brusa was previously a copywriter and has been with the agency for more than three years. He has a bachelor’s degree in communication with concentrations in journalism and public relations from Marist College. Cramer was previously an assistant account manager and has been with the agency for nearly one year. Prior to joining Pinckney Hugo Group, she was a product marketing associate at ADI Global Distribution. Cramer has a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the Frank G. Zarb School of Business at Hofstra University. Murphy was previously an assistant account manager and has been with the agency for more than a year. Before Pinckney Hugo Group, she worked as a social-media coordinator at BlueRock Energy. Murphy has a bachelor’s degree in communication studies with a concentration in public relations and advertising from SUNY Cortland. Sisson was previously an assistant account manager and has been with the agency for more than two years. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from SUNY Oswego. BRIANNA DENELY has been hired as an assistant digital media strategist, and MATTHEW WANAMAKER has come aboard as an assistant account manager. Denely previously worked as a digital marketing producer at a digital organization in Central New York. She is a Google Qualified Individual with certifications in Google Ads and Google Analytics. Denely has a bachelor’s degree in business administration, with a concentration in marketing, from the University at Albany. Wanamaker has a bachelor’s degree in communications from Le Moyne College. KRISTIN ROLFE has been promoted to art director at Pinckney Hugo. She was previously a junior art director and has been with the agency for two years. Prior to Pinckney Hugo, Rolfe worked as a member communications coordinator at MedTech Association. She has a bachelor’s degree in communications from Le Moyne College.
KeyBank has promoted PENNY PARISI to VP, business banking relationship manager. Most recently, she managed Key’s Brewerton Road branch. Parisi’s career in banking has spanned 17 years, working for KeyBank and HSBC. She is a graduate of Utica College of and is Life, Health, Series 6 & 63 Licensed. Parisi is also a 2019 graduate
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KeyBank has promoted PENNY PARISI to VP, business banking relationship manager. Most recently, she managed Key’s Brewerton Road branch. Parisi’s career in banking has spanned 17 years, working for KeyBank and HSBC. She is a graduate of Utica College of and is Life, Health, Series 6 & 63 Licensed. Parisi is also a 2019 graduate of the Leadership Greater Syracuse civic-leadership training program.
RUSSELL ROHAN has joined KeyBank as a senior business banking relationship manager. He comes to Key with 25 years of experience in the banking & lending industry. Most recently, Rohan worked as a relationship manager with Bank of America. Before entering the banking industry, he earned degrees from SUNY Nassau and the Fashion Institute of Technology, where he studied commercial and advertising art. KeyBank has promoted
EL HADJI FALL to VP, business banking relationship manager. He joined Key in 2016 as a branch manager, specializing in providing financial wellness solutions for consumer and commercial clients. Before that, he spent time with JPMorgan Chase. Originally from Senegal, Fall came to the United States in 2005 to pursue his college studies. In 2010, he received a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Wyoming. In 2014, he earned an MBA with a concentration in finance.
KeyBank has promoted BRIAN PETRANCHUK to VP, commercial banking relationship manager. He joined KeyBank in 2008 and most recently held a portfolio management position with the Income Property Group.
Tompkins County Area Development (TCAD) has named KATHY MAY its first director of workforce services. May, formerly of the Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University, has more than 20 years of experience in administrative management and leadership roles, plus a background in personal and professional coaching for individuals and corporate teams. A graduate
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Tompkins County Area Development (TCAD) has named KATHY MAY its first director of workforce services. May, formerly of the Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University, has more than 20 years of experience in administrative management and leadership roles, plus a background in personal and professional coaching for individuals and corporate teams. A graduate of Cornell University with a bachelor’s degree in industrial and labor relations, she also completed coach training through the Coaches Training Institute. Prior to joining TCAD, May served as the on-the-job training grant coordinator for the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce.
HR Works, Inc. has promoted TIFFANY FALCONE to marketing manager. She has more than five years of experience in human resources and eight years of experience in marketing. Over the past four years, she has provided sales and marketing support for the company. Falcone has an associate degree in business from Bryant & Stratton College
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HR Works, Inc. has promoted TIFFANY FALCONE to marketing manager. She has more than five years of experience in human resources and eight years of experience in marketing. Over the past four years, she has provided sales and marketing support for the company. Falcone has an associate degree in business from Bryant & Stratton College in addition to an inbound marketing certification from HubSpot and Google Analytics certification.
LAURA DETWILER has been promoted to leave manager, benefits administration services. She has more than 10 years of HR experience. Detwiler holds a bachelor’s degree in childhood education from SUNY Cortland.
KATIE WILMSHURST has been promoted to senior leave and benefits coordinator. She has more than three years of experience in human resources and will provide support to HR Works’ Benefits Administration Services department. Wilmshurst holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from SUNY Oswego.
Olinsky Law Group has promoted KRISTI F. REPPEL to partnership in the firm. She joined the firm in 2013, and focuses her practice on Social Security Disability Appeals Council Appeals and workers’-compensation claimants. Reppel earned her J.D. from The Western New England University School of Law. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in political science
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Olinsky Law Group has promoted KRISTI F. REPPEL to partnership in the firm. She joined the firm in 2013, and focuses her practice on Social Security Disability Appeals Council Appeals and workers’-compensation claimants. Reppel earned her J.D. from The Western New England University School of Law. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Siena College.
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