LEGISLATURE PASSES EXPANDED ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAW
By a vote of 11 to 4 (Legislators Frank Proto, Thomas Todd, George Totman, and Daniel Winch voted no), the Legislature passed a local law that adds "gender identity and expression" to existing County anti-discrimination legislation. The vote followed a well-attended public hearing. The proposed law amends an existing law that bars discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The proposed law defines gender identity and expression in part as "a person's actual or perceived gender identity, gender-related self-image, gender-related appearance, gender-related behavioral or physical characteristics, or gender-related expression." The law will also include a provision to allow legal staff in the Human Rights office, through the County Attorney's office, to subpoena witnesses and evidence in anti-discrimination cases that go to court for a ruling. The existing local law, which bans discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in housing, employment, public accommodations, credit, and other civil rights assured to all citizens was originally passed in 1991, when it was known as Local Law C. The complete text of the law, as amended, is posted on the County's website at www.tompkins-co.org/
Contacts: Michael Lane, Chair, Government Operations Committee, 844-8440; County Attorney Jonathan Wood, 274-5546.

ROOM TAX FUNDS BOOST LOCAL ARTS ORGANIZATIONS
The Legislature approved a total of $125,000 in tourism grants as part of a program to help support major arts and cultural attractions in the county. These Stabilization and Development grants are intended to assure financial and operational stability to established arts organizations. The grants, totally funded with revenue from the local room tax on overnight lodging, were awarded to:
-- Historic Ithaca, $30,000 for market research and a strategic operating plan for the State Theatre;
-- Kitchen Theatre, $25,000 for a capital reserve fund, and completion and implementation of a strategic plan;
-- Dewitt Historical Society, $20,000 for design and implementation of a marketing plan;
-- Hangar Theatre, $30,000 for a capital reserve fund, and financial and customer tracking services;
-- Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, $20,000 for completion of a long-range
plan and for artistic salaries.
Contact: Kathy Luz Herrera, Chair, Planning, Development, and Environmental Quality, 273-8169.

JANUARY SALES TAX UP IN 2004
Finance Director David squires reported that the County's 2004 sales tax income has started off on a positive note. Total sales tax income received from January, 2004 was $2,997,294 as compared to $2,517,224 in 2003, an increase of 19 percent.
Contact: David Squires, 274-5545.

LEGISLATURE URGES CAMPAIGN FINANCE
A resolution encouraging passage of the "Clean Money Clean Elections" bill under consideration in the state assembly and senate was approved by a 10-5 vote. If passed by the state legislature , the bill would create a public fund to support the campaigns of political candidates who agree to accept no private funds. Proponents of the bill said they believe it would eliminate special-interest funding and influence. Opponents said they do not believe it is a good use of taxpayer money.
Contact: Dooley Kiefer, Chair, Consumer and Community Affairs, 257-7453.

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