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
I'm proud to be on Shawna Black's team!
www.tompkinsweekly.com/articles/shawna-black-talks-next-steps-as-new-legislature-chair/
Shawna Black talks next steps as new Legislature chair | Tompkins Weekly
www.tompkinsweekly.com
At its Jan. 4 meeting, the Tompkins County Legislature unanimously elected Legislator Shawna Black to serve as chair of the Legislature for 2022, with Legislator Deborah Dawson serving as the vice chaThanks to Veronica Pullar for sharing this.
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When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.I'm proud to support Leslie Danks Burke for State Senate!I’m honored that these community leaders I’ve had the joy of working alongside for years, stand with me for this region that has suffered under decades of Republican neglect.
You tell'em, Leslie Danks Burke!
ithacavoice.com/2021/12/letter-to-the-editor-upstate-is-not-for-sale/
Letter to the Editor: Upstate is Not for Sale - The Ithaca Voice
ithacavoice.com
This is a letter to the editor from 2022 New York State Senate candidate Leslie Danks Burke. It was not written by the Ithaca Voice. Please submit letters to the editor to Managing Editor Matt Butler ...