Sep 18, 2008 — The economic meltdown in New York City could have devastating repercussions here in the North Country. Across northern New York, local governments, including counties and school districts, are often the biggest employers. They provide crucial services from food stamps to education to health care. But much of the money that pays for those programs comes from taxes collected on Wall Street. Officials in Albany say the state revenue available to help local governments is drying up fast. Brian Mann spoke about the crisis yesterday with Stephen Acquario, head of the New York State Association of Counties.