May 04, 2006 — Counties, and groups that work with the poor, say they are happy Governor Pataki released funding for a number of programs that help people on welfare transition to steady employment. But they wonder when and if the governor will restore funding the legislature wanted for other support services for the needy. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Apr 18, 2005 — This year's budget battle resulted in the first on-time spending plan in 20 years. It also produced modest Medicaid reform, including a cap on the rate of cost increases and a new preferred prescription drug list. But the fight over Medicaid exposed a deep rift within the New York State Association of Counties.
NYSAC suspended its president, Clifford Donaldson, for siding publicly with the unions and with the hospital association.
The organization's board wanted deeper Medicaid cuts than the unions were willing to accept. Donaldson is manager for Essex County and lives in Saranac Lake. He plans to meet with the NYSAC board's fifteen members about the dispute tomorrow. His regular term as president of the organization expires in September. He spoke with Brian Mann.  Go to full article

Feb 03, 2005 — The New York Association of Counties, at its annual meeting in Albany, promised to get tough with state lawmakers who don't follow through on Medicaid reforms that they say are strangling county budgets. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Jan 27, 2004 — The hearings on New York State's budget began with leaders of local governments asking for help meeting growing costs for health care and for retired workers. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Jan 07, 2004 — The cost of the state's Medicaid program has grown by $17 billion since 1995, when Governor Pataki took office. The spending has risen so rapidly that the state's counties say just paying their share has led to a fiscal crisis. But Pataki, along with members of the state legislature, has found increasing spending on Medicaid difficult to resist. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Oct 29, 2003 — County governments across the North Country are citing a long list of factors creating dramatic financial problems. Counties are proposing budgets that would cut personnel and services, as well as raise property taxes, in some cases by up to 20%. David Sommerstein joins Martha Foley to talk about the county budget crisis.  Go to full article