Archive: News

Legislature Urges Passage of New Federal 'Dream Act'
The Tompkins County Legislature, without dissent, urged the United States Congress to pass the new bipartisan-supported "Dream Act of 2017," to prevent the revocation of legal status from immigrant youth protected under the five-year-old Deferred Action of Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program—an action it states will "strengthen the fabric of our economy and country." Earlier this month, President Trump ordered an end to the DACA program that shields young undocumented immigrants from deportation. The "Dream Act of 2017," introduced by a bipartisan group of Senators including New York's Chuck Schumer, would establish a road to lawful permanent resident status or U.S. citizenship for about 800,000 registered DACA individuals.

Legislator Anna Kelles, who drafted the resolution, noted that she doesn't typically like the Legislature to pass a lot of resolutions urging action on national issues, but in this case felt this very important. Ms. Kelles said she's hoping Tompkins County's support, when combined with those of other local governments, will create a push for action at the national level.

Legislator Mike Sigler, who cautioned that he doesn't typically like to take positions on national issues, said he nonetheless supports this one. Not generally supportive of executive orders, Sigler said he believes this issue is a problem that needs to be taken care of, and to be taken care of by Congress. While he not knowing complete details concerning the proposed new federal legislation, he said he sees it as a positive first step that Congress can take to address the issue.

Legislators Thank Departing Colleague Peter Stein for Dedicated Service
The Legislature bid a fond farewell to Legislator Peter Stein, who last week announced he will resign from the Legislature effective September 22, since he is moving out of District 11 (Town of Ithaca), which he represents.

Calling it a "bittersweet moment," Legislature Chair Michael Lane thanked Mr. Stein for his service. "You've been a terrific member of this board," he said. "You've taught us a different way to think about things…how to apply the scientific method to some of the things we do, and that's been good for us. You're a teacher and an educator, and I think that is very important. We are sorry to lose you on the County Legislature, but we wish you the best for the future," Mr. Lane said.

The District 11 seat will remain vacant until after November's general election. According to provisions of the County Charter, in the event of a vacancy that occurs September 20 or later in the last year of a Legislator's elected term, the winner of the general election for the office will fill the vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term.

Among other business, the Legislature

• Scheduled Monday, October 30, at 7:00 p.m. as the date of the Public Hearing on the 2018 Tompkins County Budget and five-year Capital Program. The hearing will be held at Legislature Chambers at the Governor Daniel D. Tompkins Building, 121 E. Court Street (second floor), Ithaca. The Legislature's vote on the budget is expected at its meeting of November 9.
• Accepted a $25,000 grant from the Health Foundation of Western and Central New York to the Office for the Aging under the Foundation's "Aging by Design" grant program.
• Authorized the County to apply for more than $1.4 million in awarded New York State Public Transportation Modernization & Enhancement Program funding on behalf of Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT). The funding will fully reimburse TCAT in capital costs for such projects as facility rehabilitation, bus capital maintenance, replacement of bus maintenance lifts replacement, bus shelter upgrades, and a bus traffic signal prioritization system.

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