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
“No one has died from the virus in Tompkins County, but as we see the numbers rise in New York and across the country, and as we’ve received many questions from the public, we wanted to be transparent," said Tompkins County Public Health Director Frank Kruppa.
F.A.Q. on Stimulus Checks, Unemployment and the Coronavirus Plan
F.A.Q. on Stimulus Checks, Unemployment and the Coronavirus Plan
www.nytimes.com
The $2 trillion relief bill will send money directly to Americans, greatly expand unemployment coverage and make a number of other changes.New Yorkers without health insurance can apply for a health plan through NY State of Health. If you recently lost employer coverage, you must apply within 60 days of losing that coverage. Because of loss of income, New Yorkers may also be eligible for Medicaid, the Essential Plan or Child Health Plus.
Timeline PhotosHere's how to protect yourself from scams:
- Only use trusted sources for up-to-date info on COVID-19. Check for misspellings within a link, like when a website ends in .com when it should be .gov
- Do not open unsolicited emails, or click on links and attachments in those emails
-Do not open unsolicited emails, or click on links and attachments in those emails.
- Never reveal personal information in an email or to an untrusted website
- Hang up on robocalls. Do not press any numbers.
#stayhomeTompkins
