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SCHENECTADY
County Legislature chairwoman says tax cut is possible this year
BY MICHAEL LAMENDOLA Gazette Reporter
Reach Gazette reporter Michael Lamendola at 395-3114 or lamend@dailygazette.com.

    The chairwoman of the Democrat-controlled Schenectady County Legislature is proposing a tax cut as part of next year’s budget, citing the county’s improved economic conditions and a need to offer fi scal relief to taxpayers.
    “Every year when we put a budget together, we try to do the very best we can for county taxpayers and this year we thought it was especially important to cut taxes in light of the strains they feel in other aspects of their lives,” said Susan Savage, D-Niskayuna.
    Republicans dismissed the proposal as an election-year tactic. “That is the oldest political trick in the book, offering a slight tax cut in an election year and then raising taxes in other years,” said Tom Buchanan, chairman of the Schenectady County Republican Committee.
    This is a crucial election year for Democrats, who want to maintain control of the Legislature. They hold a majority with 11 of the 15 seats. With control comes the ability to pass legislation, dole out patronage and affect community life.
    Of the seven seats on the Legislature in play this year, six belong to Democrats Karen Johnson in District 1; Philip Fields in District 2; Susan Savage, Brian Gordon and Martin Finn in District 3; and Judith Dagostino in District 4.
    All are seeking re-election. Holly Vellano, a Conservative endorsed by the Democrats, is running for a seat in District 4, giving the Democrats a full slate of candidates for all seven seats.
    On the Republican ticket for open seats on the county Legislature are Kurt Seamon, Tim Macfarlane and Michael Mansion running in District 3; and Mike Viscusi, a Conservative endorsed by the Republicans, and Mary Barrie running in District 4.
    The seventh seat belongs to Joseph Suhrada, R-Rotterdam, in District 4. Suhrada is running for the Rotterdam Town Board in November.
    Brad Littlefield is running for a seat in District 4 as an independent, although he plans to wage a primary for the Conservative line. Republicans are still seeking candidates to run against Fields and Johnson in the city.
    Legislative seats are for four years and carry an annual salary of $14,093, plus a stipend for a leadership post as well as health insurance and retirement benefits.
    Savage, who has been on the Legislature since 1998 and is in her second two-year term as chairwoman, denied the proposed tax cut is connected to this year’s election campaign.
    “The connection is between all this success we have in the area of economic development and in diversifying our economy,” Savage said.
    During her tenure, Savage said, the county has witnessed an economic resurgence and even saw its population increase after years of stagnation and decline.
    “We have really reversed the decline Schenectady County was experiencing,” Savage said. ...............>>>>........................>>>>.........http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....amp;EntityId=Ar01400

While all other Counties. including Albany, are cutting County employees and belt tightening, Schenectady County continues to do nothing but blather about non-existent "savings". Start by eliminating Lumpy Kosiur's Holiday Camp and fire all political operatives masquerading as workers.

     Albany County is putting all employees on a 5 day furlough with no pay to save taxpayer money. Schenectady County should try a 10 day no pay furlough at the new DSS Taj Mahal. If this cut is an election year gimmick-bring it on-the oppressed County taxpayers will take any minor savings. Think about a 20-25% cut in County property taxes after past year's outrage.

I'd really like to know what they were able to cut to come to a tax relief / surplus.  I don't buy the "success in economic development" line, sorry Suzie.

I imagine what they are doing is putting off the day of reckoning like Hussein Obama is doing at the federal level by spending the surplus fund balance. But we shall see, and we have to give it time. Last year we had the 9-10% tax increase, which helped them build that up for this year. Now they can give us back 1% of it and they shall be heroes! YAY!

Success in economic development? They opened a taxpayer financed beanery? While five other eateries are fixin to close. Pathetic.

     Take another look at Crane St, lower State St, Van Vranken, Broadway, Erie or Eastern Avenue,etc., which used to have a business district. SS Savage and Death Ray have done a great job of chasing out one business after another. Even Upper State St in Nisky has dozens of empty storefronts and vacated businesses.

     State tax revenues are down 35%-prepare for more "State Mandate" nonsense from County KRAT tax and spenders that refuse to fire incompetents or do any budget tightening.

Yup...it certainly is an election year. Suzie must be banking on some funding coming in from all of those DWT tickets, huh?

It is the republicans' fault. Ask Cicy'

Job of the government:

reduce the posibility of chaos and anarchy with a bunch of fluff and stuff so the sheeple feel safe and secure.....

Quoted from senders

Job of the government:

reduce the posibility of chaos and anarchy with a bunch of fluff and stuff so the sheeple feel safe and secure.....

Wow, did you just hit the nail on the head.

Hmmm...guess if you're a County Legislator in the Democratic Party and this isn't your election year, then you don't mean as much to the party.  I mean really, wasn't it 4 years ago (again, when Suzie Savage and company were up for election) that they decided if gas prices went over $2 a gallon that the taxpayers needed a break...until after election day?  Now, we hear about a 1% tax decrease?  Now, let's add it up, what's the tax raise been over the past 3 years, minus 1% this year is still a steep climb.  They're playing the "What have you done for me lately" crowd.

Quoted from Kevin March

Hmmm...guess if you're a County Legislator in the Democratic Party and this isn't your election year, then you don't mean as much to the party.  I mean really, wasn't it 4 years ago (again, when Suzie Savage and company were up for election) that they decided if gas prices went over $2 a gallon that the taxpayers needed a break...until after election day?  Now, we hear about a 1% tax decrease?  Now, let's add it up, what's the tax raise been over the past 3 years, minus 1% this year is still a steep climb.  They're playing the "What have you done for me lately" crowd.

The rob Peter to give it to me party......maybe suzie will know where those 'fees' on petroleum/gas products goes??
to the environment???? or just the environment at an election dinner?????

damn that monkey......