LEGISLATURE APPROVES PUBLIC BONDS FOR DOWNTOWN PROJECTS
By a 13 - 1 vote, the legislature approved the issuance of tax-free
bonds for $10 million for a Cornell office building and $20 million for
a parking garage and creek walk near the county library. The bonding must
still have the approval of the issuer, the Tompkins County Industrial Development
Agency (IDA). Discussion among the legislators revolved around whether,
because they are not the final decision making body, they should discuss
the merits of the projects. Some felt the IDA adequately manages that role
and the legislature should not attempt to review projects. Others said
they want to know more details about the projects. For the interest on
the bonds to be exempt from federal income tax, making them attractive
to investors, the county legislature must approve the issuance. Dooley
Kiefer voted against approving the bonds for both projects, saying she
thought the process for the bond approval was flawed. Legislator Frank
Proto was absent. Contact: Michael Lane, Chair, Planning, Development,
and Environmental Quality Committee, 844-8440.
ROOM TAX DOLLARS GO TO ARTS PARTNERSHIP, TOURISM ATTRACTIONS
The legislators approved a total of nearly $150,000 in funding and
grants for tourism development from the pool of money collected through
a tax on local hotel and motel rooms. The County will pay the Community
Arts Partnership $74,250 for a comprehensive arts marketing plan and consulting
services to strengthen individual local arts organizations. A total of
$32,140 was granted to 13 community groups including Southside Community
Center for Juneteenth 2003, Ithaca Hours for a conference on local currencies
in the global economy, and the Tompkins County Chamber Foundation for a
hiking and biking brochure. Other grants went to the Hangar Theatre, Discovery
Trail, Ithaca Festival, Ithaca Downtown Partnership, Cayuga Chimes, Newfield
Historical Society, and the Finger Lakes Runners Club. The grants range
from $1,345 to $3,500. Also granted was $9,535 for seven local celebrations
including the 150th anniversary of the Newfield Covered Bridge. Contact:
Michael Lane, Chair, Planning, Development, and Environmental Quality Committee,
844-8440.
JOSEPH TO OFFER TESTIMONY TO STATE SENATE COMMITTEES
Tim Joseph, chair of the county legislature, will travel to Albany
to testify Thursday morning at a public hearing of two state senate committees
concerned with the laws on tax exempt property. The hearings have been
called by Senator John Bonacic, chair of the Housing, Construction, and
Community Development Committee, and Elizabeth Little, chair of the Local
Government Committee. Bonacic and Little have introduced a package of six
bills that would, among other things, tighten up the definition of an exempt
property, require owners of tax exempt properties to prove the property
is used exclusively for tax exempt purposes, and prevent "land banking"
by not-for-profits by limiting the exemption on undeveloped land to two
years. One of the bills proposes a state reimbursement to municipalities
for lost revenue from private, tax-exempt forest land because forests have
a statewide benefit. Joseph said he will ask for reimbursement on all state-owned
land, including the land-grant portion of Cornell University, on the same
premise.
KOPLINKA-LOEHR CONSIDERS FAST AS RESPONSE TO WAR
Several legislators, including the chair, expressed their concern and
disappointment that the country is apparently on the brink of war. Michael
Koplinka-Loehr (D-Town of Ithaca) announced that he may initiate a fast
if the U.S. invades Iraq. Koplinka-Loehr stated, "I am strongly considering
starting a fast of undetermined length." Koplinka-Loehr said he is seeking
the counsel of his colleagues on the legislature, as well his friends and
family. Saying he feels called upon to act as a "moral agent," the Forest
Home resident and father of five added that while he understands the physical
challenge of such an act, he believes it may be a way to publicly demonstrate
his feelings. Contact: Michal Koplinka-Loehr, 257-2329, 255-6668.
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