Binghamton State Office Building

(BINGHAMTON, NY) – The New York State budget proposal by Governor Cuomo aims to consolidate the state Department of Transportation’s (DOT) regional offices.  Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo (D-Endwell), a member of the Transportation Committee in the Assembly, is raising concerns about the potential loss of our regional office.

“I understand the governor wants government to be more efficient, but we need make sure the Southern Tier isn’t negatively affected,” said Lupardo, who is calling on DOT to keep the offices in Binghamton. “The DOT regional office is critical to our ongoing flood recovery.  They are also managing vital infrastructure projects, such as the I-86 conversion. I want to make sure that DOT consolidation plans do not delay repairs to roads, bridges and other critical work. I’m also concerned about our workforce. We can’t afford to lose jobs at this point in our local economic recovery.”

Region 9 of the DOT is headquartered at the Binghamton State Office Building on Hawley Street. However, the headquarters could be relocated elsewhere if the state moves from its 11 current regions to 6 regions, as the governor has proposed. Currently, DOT Region 9 encompasses 7 counties: Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Otsego, Schoharie, Sullivan and Tioga.

While Governor Cuomo has said he wants to downsize the number of DOT regions in the state, he has not unveiled the counties that would comprise the different regions and where the regional headquarters would be. At a joint legislative budget hearing today, DOT Commissioner Joan McDonald testified that the administration had not yet decided where the regions would be headquartered under the proposed consolidation.

Legislation to adopt stronger trichloroethylene (TCE) standards that protect the public will be a top priority for Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo (D-Endwell) this year. She says that recent findings are helping to make the case for legislation she authored in 2008 that has been stalled by the lobbying efforts of the chemical industry.

A new study by the New York State Department of Health (DOH) links congenital heart problems, low birth weight and other birth defects to vapor intrusion of TCE from the IBM Endicott spill. Last year, a health assessment on TCE released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that the chemical causes cancer, among several other health risks.

Lupardo introduced her legislation after testifying on TCE before the US Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works in 2008 about the need for federal leadership in setting a uniform TCE standard. Her legislation (bill A.3121 of 2012) would require the DOH to prescribe a maximum indoor air contaminant level for TCE based on the most protective underlying assumptions and cancer potency factor.

In 2006, Lupardo contributed to the Assembly report “Vapor Intrusion of Toxic Chemicals: An Emerging Public Health Concern.” That report found that “the New York State air guideline for TCE of 5.0 micrograms per cubic meter was not based on the most protective assumptions supported by science.

The new EPA assessment concludes that TCE is more toxic and carcinogenic than was previously assumed. The new TCE toxicity values will trigger reassessments of many regulatory standards, including drinking water, vapor intrusion and the cleanup of Superfund sites.

Lupardo is a member of the Environmental Conservation Committee in the Assembly. She has authored significant environmental laws concerning public notification of chemical spills (Ch. 616 of 2006) and tenant notification of contamination (Ch. 521 of 2008).

The event will include a day of discussions with prominent educators and policy makers from across the country to discuss how colleges and universities can build and strengthen their community partnerships.

One focus will be on ways to spread STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education through increased civic engagement.

Lupardo was invited because of her leadership role as the Chair of the Legislative Commission on Science & Technology, and because of her efforts to help Binghamton University’s researchers expand their community outreach.

Governor Cuomo signs flood relief package championed by Assemblywoman Lupardo

Governor Andrew Cuomo signed in to law a flood relief package that consisted of a number of initiatives led by Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo (D-Endwell).  Included in the legislation is property tax relief, grants to municipalities and school districts, and tax credits for businesses that Lupardo proposed back in October.

“When the flooding brought so much damage and destruction to the Southern Tier, I introduced several pieces of legislation to make sure our communities had the resources they need to recover,” said Lupardo, D-Endwell. “I thank my colleagues in the legislature for taking up the bills this past week, and this funding will help businesses, families, and towns and villages get back on their feet and return to life as normal. It is remarkable what can happen when those in government work together and I thank Governor Cuomo and his team for their leadership in the storm recovery effort and for coming here today to sign this important law.”

The $50 million aid package dedicated for flood relief across the state includes the following proposals from Lupardo:

• $20 million to reimburse municipalities and school districts for their portion of disaster related costs that FEMA doesn’t cover.
• Properties will also be able to be re-assessed ahead of the annual March challenge date.
• Municipalities and school districts will be able to offer installment plans for property tax payments.
• For the 2011-12 school year, school districts will also be able to request advanced payments of school aid.

Lupardo, a member of the Economic Development Committee in the Assembly, also advocated for additional assistance to business. The flood relief package includes a job retention credit for businesses impacted by flooding. This would provide BAE Systems with a $40 million tax credit package to help them remain in the area.

Additionally, Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) will administer $21 million for direct grants of up to $20,000 for small businesses, farms, multiple dwellings, and not-for-profits that sustained direct flood related damage in Hurricane Irene or Tropical Storm Lee.  The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and ESDC will administer $9 million in grants for counties to support flood control or flood mitigation projects.

“I’m glad that many of the flood relief measures I proposed back in October are now being addressed,” said Lupardo, who authored similar flood relief legislation in 2006. “Our community still feels the affects of the flood, 3 months later. These property tax relief initiatives, coupled will $50 million in grants will help us get back on our feet and keep jobs in the Southern Tier.”

Lupardo led initiatives

Lupardo was successful at getting assistance for municipalities and school districts to help pay a portion of the local share for flood damage. An additional $20 million included in federal disaster declarations will be distributed on an as needed basis. This could help save Broome County $700,000 in expenses. In October she proposed legislation for the state to pick up the full 25% of costs not covered by FEMA (A.8654-A/S.5888). FEMA currently pays 75%, with localities and the state each paying half (12.5%) of the remaining 25%.

Based on legislation that Lupardo introduced (A.8647-A/S.5891) in October, homeowners with significant damage – 50% or more – could potentially get their property reassessed and a portion of their taxes refunded. Municipalities and school districts must opt in to participate. Lupardo authored similar legislation in 2006, which passed unanimously and was signed into law (Chapter 15 of 2007).

Also proposed by Lupardo in October (A.8648-A/S.5892), municipalities and school districts will be able to collect school tax payments in installments if taxpayers were impacted by flooding. Before, state law only allowed installment payments with local approval.

For the 2011-12 school year, school districts will also be able to request advanced payments of school aid. This is subject to agreement by the Division of Budget (DOB), Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) and the State Education Department (SED). Also, if additional state aid is provided to school districts, they would be authorized to refund property taxes.

Additional flood relief

Lupardo also strongly advocated for additional flood relief.

BAE Systems and Amphenol Aerospace will benefit from the enactment of a job retention credit for businesses harmed by a natural disaster. Lupardo started working with the governor’s office on this proposal in November. Firms with at least 100 employees that have retained or expanded their workers’ roles during this time are eligible. The credit equals 6.85 percent of the wages of retained jobs and is targeted towards employers in financial services, manufacturing, software development, new media, scientific development, agriculture and other sectors.

Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) will administer $21 million for direct grants of up to $20,000 for small businesses, farms, multiple dwellings, and not-for-profits that sustained direct flood related damage in Hurricane Irene or Tropical Storm Lee. This will help with storm-related repairs and other storm-related costs not covered by any other governmental assistance programs or private insurance.

The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and ESDC will administer $9 million in grants for counties to support flood control or flood mitigation projects. Grant amounts will range from $300,000 to $500,000, with priority given to projects that will prevent additional flooding.

“This is a comprehensive flood relief package, which is the result of months of hard work and negotiations,” said Lupardo. “It’s a huge help to our community and those across the state affected by flooding.”