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<title>NCPR Topical RSS: mandate-relief</title>
<link>http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org</link>
<description>Latest North Country Public Radio regional news by topic. Topic=mandate-relief.</description>
<language>en-us</language>
<copyright>&#x2117; &amp; &#xA9; 2013, North Country Public Radio</copyright>
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<ttl>60</ttl>
<managingEditor>radio@ncpr.org</managingEditor>
<webMaster>radio@ncpr.org</webMaster>
<itunes:author>North Country Public Radio Newsroom</itunes:author>
<itunes:summary>NCPR provides locally-produced news stories from around the Adirondack and North Country regions of New York State, as well as Western Vermont, and Ontario and Quebec in Canada.</itunes:summary>
<itunes:owner>
<itunes:name>Managing Editor</itunes:name>
<itunes:email>radio@ncpr.org</itunes:email>
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<itunes:category text="News"></itunes:category>
<itunes:image href="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/images/ncprorgsm.gif" />

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<title>North Country Public Radio Newsroom</title>
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<link>http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org</link>
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<description>NCPR provides locally-produced news stories from around the Adirondack and North Country regions of New York State, as well as Western Vermont, and Ontario and Quebec in Canada.</description>
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<item>
<title>Budget watchdog group: Cuomo pension plan a &quot;gimmick&quot;</title>
<link>http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/21511/20130226/budget-watchdog-group-cuomo-pension-plan-a-quot-gimmick-quot</link>
<description><![CDATA[ (Feb 26, 2013) State lawmakers return to Albany later this week, and have just over three weeks to meet a self-imposed deadline to finish the state budget. Negotiations on a spending plan come amid a growing  push back to a key proposal by Gov. Andrew Cuomo to help local governments meet pension payments. [<strong><a href="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/21511/20130226/budget-watchdog-group-cuomo-pension-plan-a-quot-gimmick-quot">full story</a></strong>]]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 26 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<enclosure url="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/audio/Pension20130226.mp3" length="1729242" type="audio/mpeg"/>
<itunes:author>NCPR: Karen DeWitt</itunes:author>
<itunes:summary><![CDATA[State lawmakers return to Albany later this week, and have just over three weeks to meet a self-imposed deadline to finish the state budget. Negotiations on a spending plan come amid a growing  push back to a key proposal by Gov. Andrew Cuomo to help local governments meet pension payments. [<strong><a href="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/21511/20130226/budget-watchdog-group-cuomo-pension-plan-a-quot-gimmick-quot">full story</a></strong>]]]></itunes:summary>
<guid>http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/audio/Pension20130226.mp3</guid>
<itunes:duration>03:35</itunes:duration>
<itunes:keywords>photolead, politics, economy, cuomo, education, county, pension, mandate relief, [loc:42.6525793 -73.7562317], topstory, cuomo</itunes:keywords>
<enclosure url="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/images/Cuomocasual_KDeWitt.jpg" length="41454" type="image/jpeg"/>
</item>

<item>
<title>Budget offers a plan for &quot;pension bubble&quot;</title>
<link>http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/21312/20130123/budget-offers-a-plan-for-quot-pension-bubble-quot</link>
<description><![CDATA[ (Jan 23, 2013) New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo&apos;s budget address was a wonky speech, full of numbers from both sides of the balance sheet.Local governments were among those parsing out the results. Counties have struggled in the recession years, with falling or flat revenue, loss of state aid, a state cap on property tax increases, and rising costs of mandated services.The governor had a partial answer for them yesterday — an unconventional way to help localities with the high costs of state pensions. [<strong><a href="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/21312/20130123/budget-offers-a-plan-for-quot-pension-bubble-quot">full story</a></strong>]]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 23 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<enclosure url="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/audio/130123nnbudgetpensions.mp3" length="832891" type="audio/mpeg"/>
<itunes:author>NCPR: NCPR News</itunes:author>
<itunes:summary><![CDATA[New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo&apos;s budget address was a wonky speech, full of numbers from both sides of the balance sheet.Local governments were among those parsing out the results. Counties have struggled in the recession years, with falling or flat revenue, loss of state aid, a state cap on property tax increases, and rising costs of mandated services.The governor had a partial answer for them yesterday — an unconventional way to help localities with the high costs of state pensions. [<strong><a href="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/21312/20130123/budget-offers-a-plan-for-quot-pension-bubble-quot">full story</a></strong>]]]></itunes:summary>
<guid>http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/audio/130123nnbudgetpensions.mp3</guid>
<itunes:duration>01:44</itunes:duration>
<itunes:keywords>politics, economy, cuomo, mandate relief, [loc:42.6525793 -73.7562317], topstory</itunes:keywords>
<enclosure url="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/images/bookkeeping.jpg" length="83478" type="image/jpeg"/>
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<item>
<title>Cuomo proposes his &quot;most ambitious agenda&quot;</title>
<link>http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/21224/20130110/cuomo-proposes-his-quot-most-ambitious-agenda-quot</link>
<description><![CDATA[ (Jan 10, 2013) Gov. Cuomo laid out a challenging year for New York in his State of the State speech Wednesday.The bullet points are many and varied, from raising the minimum wage, to money for the &quot;clean economy,&quot;  a 10-point Women&apos;s Equality Act, &quot;destination resort casinos&quot;, a regional tourism competition, an Adirondack whitewater competition, a tough assault weapons ban, incentives for teachers and for schools to provide more time in the classroom. Then there was emergency preparedness, worker&apos;s comp, fairness in the justice system, housing, climate change. [<strong><a href="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/21224/20130110/cuomo-proposes-his-quot-most-ambitious-agenda-quot">full story</a></strong>]]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 10 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<enclosure url="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/audio/130110nnsos.mp3" length="1528145" type="audio/mpeg"/>
<itunes:author>NCPR: NCPR News</itunes:author>
<itunes:summary><![CDATA[Gov. Cuomo laid out a challenging year for New York in his State of the State speech Wednesday.The bullet points are many and varied, from raising the minimum wage, to money for the &quot;clean economy,&quot;  a 10-point Women&apos;s Equality Act, &quot;destination resort casinos&quot;, a regional tourism competition, an Adirondack whitewater competition, a tough assault weapons ban, incentives for teachers and for schools to provide more time in the classroom. Then there was emergency preparedness, worker&apos;s comp, fairness in the justice system, housing, climate change. [<strong><a href="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/21224/20130110/cuomo-proposes-his-quot-most-ambitious-agenda-quot">full story</a></strong>]]]></itunes:summary>
<guid>http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/audio/130110nnsos.mp3</guid>
<itunes:duration>03:11</itunes:duration>
<itunes:keywords>photolead, economy, politics, environment, energy, agriculture, albany, cuomo, education, russell, blankenbush, schools, mandate relief, [loc:42.6525793 -73.7562317], adirondacks, topstory</itunes:keywords>
<enclosure url="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/images/nys_slide.jpg" length="29195" type="image/jpeg"/>
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<item>
<title>St. Lawrence County to vote on budget tonight</title>
<link>http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/20951/20121126/st-lawrence-county-to-vote-on-budget-tonight</link>
<description><![CDATA[ (Nov 26, 2012) (UPDATE: The St. Lawrence County Board of Legislators approved a $235-million dollar budget Monday night, over-riding the state tax cap, and raising property taxes by more than 14-percent.)The 57 counties outside New York City face a collective budget gap estimated at $130 million as they write their budgets for the fiscal year that starts in January.That&apos;s according to a report this fall from the New York State Association of Counties.  NYSAC Executive Director Stephen Acquario says counties are caught between a rock and a hard place. On one hand, they pay for dozens of mandated services, from Medicaid to child welfare, which cost more every year. On the other hand, they now face a new state cap on property tax increases.Acquario told North Country Public Radio that leaves counties essentially &quot;governing by triage.&quot;St. Lawrence County legislators plan a public hearing tonight on the 2013 budget. County administrator Karen St. Hilaire says the $250 million spending plan contains a 13.5 percent tax increase. [<strong><a href="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/20951/20121126/st-lawrence-county-to-vote-on-budget-tonight">full story</a></strong>]]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 26 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<enclosure url="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/audio/121126jgbudgetvote.mp3" length="1381531" type="audio/mpeg"/>
<itunes:author>NCPR: Julie Grant</itunes:author>
<itunes:summary><![CDATA[(UPDATE: The St. Lawrence County Board of Legislators approved a $235-million dollar budget Monday night, over-riding the state tax cap, and raising property taxes by more than 14-percent.)The 57 counties outside New York City face a collective budget gap estimated at $130 million as they write their budgets for the fiscal year that starts in January.That&apos;s according to a report this fall from the New York State Association of Counties.  NYSAC Executive Director Stephen Acquario says counties are caught between a rock and a hard place. On one hand, they pay for dozens of mandated services, from Medicaid to child welfare, which cost more every year. On the other hand, they now face a new state cap on property tax increases.Acquario told North Country Public Radio that leaves counties essentially &quot;governing by triage.&quot;St. Lawrence County legislators plan a public hearing tonight on the 2013 budget. County administrator Karen St. Hilaire says the $250 million spending plan contains a 13.5 percent tax increase. [<strong><a href="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/20951/20121126/st-lawrence-county-to-vote-on-budget-tonight">full story</a></strong>]]]></itunes:summary>
<guid>http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/audio/121126jgbudgetvote.mp3</guid>
<itunes:duration>02:52</itunes:duration>
<itunes:keywords>photolead, politics, economy, stlv, cuomo, mandate relief, nysac [loc:44.5956163 -75.1690942], st. lawrence county, budget, topstory</itunes:keywords>
<enclosure url="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/images/karensthilaire_375.jpg" length="30679" type="image/jpeg"/>
</item>

<item>
<title>Many NY schools expect to use up savings in next 18 months</title>
<link>http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/20095/20120705/many-ny-schools-expect-to-use-up-savings-in-next-18-months</link>
<description><![CDATA[ (Jul 5, 2012) A new survey shows that many New York school districts are within a year and a half of exhausting their fund balances. School business leaders say that could lead to district consolidationsor closures. Julie Grant reports. [<strong><a href="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/20095/20120705/many-ny-schools-expect-to-use-up-savings-in-next-18-months">full story</a></strong>]]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 05 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<enclosure url="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/audio/120705JGfunding.mp3" length="1116288" type="audio/mpeg"/>
<itunes:author>NCPR: Julie Grant</itunes:author>
<itunes:summary><![CDATA[A new survey shows that many New York school districts are within a year and a half of exhausting their fund balances. School business leaders say that could lead to district consolidationsor closures. Julie Grant reports. [<strong><a href="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/20095/20120705/many-ny-schools-expect-to-use-up-savings-in-next-18-months">full story</a></strong>]]]></itunes:summary>
<guid>http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/audio/120705JGfunding.mp3</guid>
<itunes:duration>02:19</itunes:duration>
<itunes:keywords>photolead, politics, economy, cuomo, education, schools, mandate relief  , [loc:42.6525793 -73.7562317], topstory, ncsymposium13</itunes:keywords>
</item>

<item>
<title>Douglas: county stretched thinner than ever</title>
<link>http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/19236/20120202/douglas-county-stretched-thinner-than-ever</link>
<description><![CDATA[ (Feb 2, 2012) Mandate relief—especially on Medicaid costs—was at the forefront of many county leaders’ minds at the annual meeting this week of the New York State Association of Counties. In his budget address January 17th, Governor Cuomo laid out a plan for the state to take over increases in Medicaid costs over the next few years—but some county leaders say that’s not enough. [<strong><a href="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/19236/20120202/douglas-county-stretched-thinner-than-ever">full story</a></strong>]]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<enclosure url="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/audio/20120202mfDouglascounty.mp3" length="1568311" type="audio/mpeg"/>
<itunes:author>NCPR: Nora Flaherty</itunes:author>
<itunes:summary><![CDATA[Mandate relief—especially on Medicaid costs—was at the forefront of many county leaders’ minds at the annual meeting this week of the New York State Association of Counties. In his budget address January 17th, Governor Cuomo laid out a plan for the state to take over increases in Medicaid costs over the next few years—but some county leaders say that’s not enough. [<strong><a href="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/19236/20120202/douglas-county-stretched-thinner-than-ever">full story</a></strong>]]]></itunes:summary>
<guid>http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/audio/20120202mfDouglascounty.mp3</guid>
<itunes:duration>01:37</itunes:duration>
<itunes:keywords>photolead, politics, economy, cuomo, albany, NYSAC, mandate relief, tax, tax cap, essex county[loc:42.6525793 -73.7562317], topstory</itunes:keywords>
<enclosure url="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/images/randydouglas.jpg" length="18363" type="image/jpeg"/>
</item>

<item>
<title>Counties want state takeover of Medicaid costs</title>
<link>http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/18892/20111206/counties-want-state-takeover-of-medicaid-costs</link>
<description><![CDATA[ (Dec 6, 2011) Counties across New York state are supporting legislation that would phase out the local share of Medicaid payments, but officials doubt the bills will ever become law.Medicaid, a state program for New Yorkers who can’t afford medical care, is among the biggest strains on county budgets, especially as lawmakers struggle to present budgets that meet the state’s new 2 percent cap on property tax growth.The Senate and Assembly introduced bills earlier this fall that would shift Medicaid costs from the county level to the state. Chris Morris reports. [<strong><a href="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/18892/20111206/counties-want-state-takeover-of-medicaid-costs">full story</a></strong>]]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<enclosure url="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/audio/111206cmmedicaidcosts.mp3" length="1993145" type="audio/mpeg"/>
<itunes:author>NCPR: Chris Morris</itunes:author>
<itunes:summary><![CDATA[Counties across New York state are supporting legislation that would phase out the local share of Medicaid payments, but officials doubt the bills will ever become law.Medicaid, a state program for New Yorkers who can’t afford medical care, is among the biggest strains on county budgets, especially as lawmakers struggle to present budgets that meet the state’s new 2 percent cap on property tax growth.The Senate and Assembly introduced bills earlier this fall that would shift Medicaid costs from the county level to the state. Chris Morris reports. [<strong><a href="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/18892/20111206/counties-want-state-takeover-of-medicaid-costs">full story</a></strong>]]]></itunes:summary>
<guid>http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/audio/111206cmmedicaidcosts.mp3</guid>
<itunes:duration>04:09</itunes:duration>
<itunes:keywords>photolead, economy, cuomo, albany, adirondacks, stlv, chpv, health, mandate relief, nys association of counties, [loc:42.6525793 -73.7562317], topstory</itunes:keywords>
<enclosure url="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/images/111206medicaid.jpg" length="48258" type="image/jpeg"/>
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<item>
<title>What&apos;s ahead for the new mix in Albany</title>
<link>http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/16964/20110110/what-apos-s-ahead-for-the-new-mix-in-albany</link>
<description><![CDATA[ (Jan 10, 2011) Gov. Andrew Cuomo is wasting no time. From a wage freeze for public employees, to mandate relief and a property tax cap, he&apos;s moved on many of key campaign themes in just his first week in office.He&apos;s also got a new/old legislature to work with. A Republican majority in the state Senate, but a familiar and powerful face at the head of the Assembly: Speaker Sheldon Silver. Susan Arbetter, host of WCNY&apos;s capitol Pressroom, is one of the Albany-based journalists who&apos;s watching all this closely. Martha Foley talked with her about the changing dynamic. [<strong><a href="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/16964/20110110/what-apos-s-ahead-for-the-new-mix-in-albany">full story</a></strong>]]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 10 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<enclosure url="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/audio/110111cmtrilakesbreak.mp3" length="4819824" type="audio/mpeg"/>
<itunes:author>NCPR: Martha Foley</itunes:author>
<itunes:summary><![CDATA[Gov. Andrew Cuomo is wasting no time. From a wage freeze for public employees, to mandate relief and a property tax cap, he&apos;s moved on many of key campaign themes in just his first week in office.He&apos;s also got a new/old legislature to work with. A Republican majority in the state Senate, but a familiar and powerful face at the head of the Assembly: Speaker Sheldon Silver. Susan Arbetter, host of WCNY&apos;s capitol Pressroom, is one of the Albany-based journalists who&apos;s watching all this closely. Martha Foley talked with her about the changing dynamic. [<strong><a href="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/16964/20110110/what-apos-s-ahead-for-the-new-mix-in-albany">full story</a></strong>]]]></itunes:summary>
<guid>http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/audio/110111cmtrilakesbreak.mp3</guid>
<itunes:duration>10:02</itunes:duration>
<itunes:keywords>politics, economy, election10, budget, counties, local government, tax cap, mandate relief, [loc:42.6525793 -73.7562317], photolead, topstory</itunes:keywords>
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