Welcome
Our County Legislature’s most important function is to allocate County resources in ways that meet the needs and values of our residents. Not surprisingly, when our needs are many and our resources are relatively few, our values tend to get short shrift.
Tompkins County now face increasingly scarce resources under a Federal government that shows little interest in our natural, social, and cultural environments, and a State government that sometimes seems determined to bankrupt our counties. We had to use 68% of last year’s county property tax levy to pay for unfunded mandates. Because of New York State’s “system” for funding Medicaid, we used fully 24% of last year’s property tax levy to pay for Medicaid services provided in Tompkins County. If Congressional Republicans succeed in implementing block grant funding for Medicaid, our county share of Medicaid funding could increase even more. What will we do then? We cannot increase property taxes by any substantial amount: our citizens are already burdened with very high property taxes, and that burden was effectively increased by the limitation on SALT deductions imposed by Federal tax legislation passed in 2017. At the same time, we cannot deny health care services to our residents who need them.
How we overcome the challenge of resource scarcity while maintaining the quality of life we all value will set our County’s course for years to come. I believe the key to meeting these challenges is to build a strong, sustainable, independent economy here in Tompkins County. That means not only increasing our tax base, but also using every means at our disposal to create jobs that pay a living wage or better, to promote our flagging retail sector, to underwrite construction of affordable and work force housing, and to expand public transit services throughout Tompkins County. When everyone in Tompkins County thrives, everyone contributes to growing county revenues.
We have a LOT of work to do!
Deborah’s recent Facebook posts are shared, below.
Deborah Dawson - TC Legislator for District 10
Tis the season . . . unfortunately. Keep your eyes open!!
Harmful Algal Blooms have started reappearing in Cayuga Lake
ITHACA, N.Y. — Harmful Algal Blooms have been spotted in several locations in Cayuga Lake already this summer. The bacteria’s presence has caused a couple of local swimming spots to close, in…Looks like what I saw in Alaska...Which was pollen🤷🏽♀️
All hail these three absolutely terrific women, who make our Legislature run as smoothly as any body of 14 opinionated people possibly can. Thank you, Cathy Covert, Michelle Cocco, and Katrina McCloy!!Legislative staff – over 75 years of combined service to Tompkins County
Michelle Cocco, Chief Deputy Clerk (35 years)
Catherine Covert, Clerk of the Legislature (37 years)
Katrina McCloy, Deputy Clerk (4 years)
Deborah, a nice tribute & a rare recognition of dependability in County teamwork.
The drama continues. I continue to hope for a climate friendly, economically sustainable resolution.
Cayuga Power Plant files deactivation papers, future unclear
The Cayuga Power Plant’s future took another step towards clarity last week, as Cayuga Operating Company officially filed its deactivation notice with New York State. The move makes official theCongratulations to JR Claiborne, and to veterans living in Tompkins County. JR is our first Director of Veterans' Services! If you know a veteran in need, please let him or her know that JR is available to help.
Speakeasy: J.R. Clairborne, new Tompkins County Office of Veterans Services director
Last week, the Tompkins County Legislature unanimously confirmed J.R. Clairborne as director of the new Office of Veterans Services, a state-required office that will connect local military veterans w...
