The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Rensselaer County Legislative Action

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By Doug La Rocque
At its November 8 meeting, the Rensselaer County Legislature took action on a variety of topics. One of the most notable was a resolution that requested State review of potential abuse of Medicaid-funded ambulance transport. The legislation states the County has learned from various emergency service providers of “chronic callers,” who while receiving public assistance and Medicaid, call for ambulance transport on numerous occasions for issues that are not life-threatening or serious medical emergencies. [private]The sponsors of the bill claim these calls result in additional expenses to municipalities in terms of personnel, equipment and pressure on local emergency services. It also noted Rensselaer County is forced to bear some of this financial responsibility.
The lawmakers also gave unanimous approval to a bill supporting ride-sharing in New York State and the Capital District. These ride share programs, made popular by such firms as Uber and Lyft, carry benefits such as a reduction in drunk or impaired driving and offer drivers a chance at a supplemental income. Keeping the theme of transportation, the legislature also approved the expenditure of $60,000 for continuing rural transportation along the Route 7 corridor, including service into the Town of Hoosick and the Village of Hoosick Falls. The funding for the bus program comes from federal aid administered by the NYS Department of Transportation.
The legislature also approved the payment to area localities of their shares of the Mortgage Tax, funding that towns and villages in the County rely on to balance their budgets. For Grafton, this is $30,074, Hoosick receives $19,145. The Village of Hoosick Falls gets $6,536 while Petersburgh receives $5,342. Stephentown will receive $26,927 and Berlin $13,219.
Also approved was a resolution honoring William J. Murphy, the first person to hold the office of Rensselaer County Executive. Originally from Albany, Murphy was a long-time resident of Hoosick Falls. He passed away in October.[/private]