White Plains, NY —  On Friday, County Executive George Latimer and the Board of Legislators delivered the 2021 Westchester County Joint State Legislative Package to Westchester’s New York State Assembly and Senate delegation.

The package is a list of state actions that the County Executive and the Board are asking lawmakers in Albany to approve to help County residents and taxpayers.

The package includes state measures that will create jobs; improve infrastructure, public health and transportation; and reimburse the County for the cost of state-mandated programs, as well as measures to improve the storm-readiness of local utilities, protect local hospitals, and enhance environmental sustainability.

Among the top priorities in the package are:

• Support for the expansion of downstate casino licenses
• Release FY2020-21 money previously allocated to Westchester
• Fund Indian Point-related emergency operations
• Provide funding parity in State transportation aid
• Invest in infrastructure projects in Westchester
• Oppose shifting costs for aid and incentives for Municipalities onto Westchester
• Make the Westchester County Property Taxpayer Protection Act Permanent

The package also calls for action by the State on a number of measures including:

• Support for the right to counsel in eviction cases
• Mandatory notification of Extreme Risk Protection Order information by mental health facilities to patients and families upon discharge
• Requiring hospitals in a municipality of less than 250,000 residents to obtain approval from voters at a mandatory referendum before closing
• Approval of the County's acquisition of the North County Trailway
• Study the economic impact of quality childcare and early education programs
• Tougher requirements for storm hardening and emergency planning by electric utilities

County Executive George Latimer said, “While the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live our lives, it is imperative that us in government work together to find solutions to the challenges we all face. Contained in this joint package are some of those solutions that we look to implement for the betterment of all who call Westchester home. Our New York State delegation has stood with us time and time again and understands the needs we all share. We thank them for their support.”

Board Chairman Ben Boykin (D - White Plains, Scarsdale, Harrison) said, "As we work to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, our partnership with our State officials is more important than ever. The proposals in this package will protect the taxpayers of Westchester while preserving and enhancing the social safety net for our most vulnerable residents.  I look forward to working with our State delegation to get these things done for the people of Westchester.”

Majority Leader MaryJane Shimsky, (D - Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry, Edgemont, Hartsdale, Hastings-on-Hudson, Irvington), said, "We have worked extremely well over the years with our State delegation in achieving results for the people we all represent.  This package gives us a starting point for putting into action laws and regulations that reflect our shared values and make Westchester and New York fairer, better, and more economically and environmentally sustainable.”

Leg. Kitley Covill (D - Bedford, Lewisboro, Mount Kisco, North Salem, Pound Ridge, Somers), chair of the Board's Legislation Committee said, "In crafting this year’s package we have been mindful of the budgetary challenges the State is facing.  That’s why we worked hard to focus on State money that has already been allocated to the County as well as items in Governor Cuomo’s executive budget that will support necessary programs, ease the burden on local taxpayers and ensure parity for Westchester with our neighbors.”

To read the 2021 Westchester County Joint State Legislative Package visit https://www.westchesterlegislators.com/images/pdf/2021-joint-state-leg-package.pdf