School Budget Votes: Will NYSUT Challenge Tax Cap Law?

By Douglas Gerhardt - Following the recent success of school budget votes statewide (blogged here on May 16) the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) has been quoted saying it is analyzing a possible legal challenge due to a possible disparate impact of votes in school districts seeking to exceed the property tax cap. As one news outlet reported, "NYSUT is going to look very closely at the results to see whether there’s an argument here to challenge the tax cap in terms of issue of equity." The report goes on...

School Budget Vote Results – Let the “Spin” Begin

By Howard J. Goldsmith - As the school budget vote results begin to get reported, summarized, and analyzed from across the state, there will be many interpretations, conclusions, and of course, political “spin” on what it all means as to the success or failure of New York’s first ever tax levy limit on school districts...

The Last Paragraph of the First Chapter of the Property Tax Cap

By Patrick M. Malgieri - Voters in school districts throughout the state are going to the polls today to vote on board seats and, of particular significance this year, budgets. The school districts are the last of the state's municipal entities to subject their budgets to the requirements of the real property tax levy cap passed into law last June...

Addressing Rochester’s Structural Deficit

By Rochester Mayor Thomas S. Richards - The PDF file linked in this article contains the section of Mayor Thomas S. Richards' State of the City Address - delivered on April 30, 2012 - that discusses the City’s financial challenges, up to the conclusion of the speech. The presentation slides that accompanied this text are embedded within the document...

EEOC Reminds Employers Use of Criminal Histories Must be Job-Related

By The Editorial Team - The EEOC has updated guidance on when and how to consider a prospective employee’s criminal history. Harris Beach has issued a Legal Alert reminding employers that the use of criminal histories must be job related...

Oswego Developer’s Forum Highlights

By Roberta A. Jordans - Highlights of the recently-held Oswego Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) Developer’s Forum included a panel presentation of successful brownfield projects as completed by Broadwell Construction, The Krog Corporation, and Kissling Interests, Inc., followed by a bus tour of available development sites in the City of Oswego's Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA)...

Additional Regional Economic Development Council Competition Funding Announced

By The Editorial Team - Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced that up to $750 million will be available as part of a second Regional Economic Development Council competition to support economic development, strategic plan implementation, and job creation across New York state. CFAs (Consolidated Funding Applications) must be submitted online by 4:00 p.m. on July 16, 2012...

NYC Living Wage Bill Passes; Bloomberg Vows to Challenge

By Kenneth C. Beehler - Following up on our recent posts, the New York City Living Wage Bill, which has continued to stir controversy, finally came to a vote on Monday, April 30, 2012, passing through the New York City Council with a significant majority of 45 in favor to 5 opposed. The bill as enacted...