ON 30Th ANNIVERSARY OF DRUG LAWS, COUNTY URGES REFORM
The Legislature backed a member-filed resolution presented by Legislator Dooley Kiefer calling for reform of the harsh drug laws passed in 1973 during the administration of New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller. The legislation will be 30 years old May 8. The laws require judges to sentence convicted offenders to 15 years to life in prison for selling a minimum of two ounces or possessing four ounces of a narcotic substance, including marijuana. The resolution urges reform of the Rockefeller drug laws this year to reduce sentences and restore judicial discretion. Legislators Frank Proto and Daniel Winch cast no votes. Contact: Dooley Kiefer, 257-7453.

CALVO APPOINTED TO COUNTY ETHICS BOARD 
The Legislature appointed City of Ithaca resident Joseph Calvo to the County Ethics Advisory Board. Calvo will serve the remainder of a three-year term, which expires at the end of 2003. He is replacing John Marcham who has resigned from the board. Contact: Dooley Kiefer, Chair, Ethics Advisory Board, 257-7453.

COUNTY SUPPORTS CHANGES TO STATE'S BOTTLE BILL
The Legislature is urging amendment of the 1982 New York State deposit container law to increase revenues and protect the environment. A resolution that passed unanimously urges the addition of non-carbonated beverages to the "bottle bill," potentially increasing by one-quarter the number of returnable containers. The County would also like to see unclaimed deposit money, estimated to go as high as $177 million a year, revert to the state coffers for use in recycling and environmental programs. Contact: Dick Booth, Chair, Facilities and Infrastructure Committee, 272-6573, 255-4025.

LEGISLATURE APPROVES REFINANCING OF IDA BONDS FOR KENDALL 
The Legislature approved by a vote of 14-1 (Daniel Winch voted no) the re-issuance of up to $20 million in tax-free bonds originally approved by the Industrial Development Agency (IDA) in 1994 for the construction of the Kendall of Ithaca retirement community. By refinancing the bonds at a lower interest rate, the IDA estimates Kendall will save approximately $218,000 a year. Kendall will pay a one-time fee of 0.5 percent of the amount of the bonds to Tompkins County Area Development for economic development efforts. Contact: Michael Lane, Chair, Planning, Development, and Environmental Quality Committee, 844-8440.

SALES AND PROPERTY TAXES GOING UP ALL OVER STATE
County Administrator Stephen Whicher shared with the Legislature a recent report complied by the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) that shows that counties all over the state raised property tax levies and sales taxes in 2003. The size of the property tax levy (total tax to be collected) increased among the 57 counties outside New York City by an average of 12.2 percent. Only four counties did not increase their 2003 property tax levies, and more than half the counties saw increases of 10 percent or more. Rensselaer County's increase, at 27.8 percent, is with the highest; Broome County is next, with an increase of 27.4 percent. Tompkins' property tax levy went up by 17.8 percent for 2003, from $21.3 million to $25.1 million. Sales tax rates are also on the rise, according to the report. Twelve counties have increased or plan to add from ¼ to 1 percent to their sales tax this year or in 2004. The growth in local Medicaid costs is also tracked in the report, which shows county Medicaid bills jumping by an average of 17.2 percent statewide. Contact: Stephen Whicher, County Administrator, 274-5551.
 

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