Welcome to the Democraticledger.org!
The Democratic Caucus of the Monroe County Legislature consists of 14 members. We represent the people of Monroe County, from Brighton to Henrietta, to Gates to Greece, from Irondequoit to Webster, to the City of Rochester. This site contains a wealth of information about our legislators and the issues that effect our community. If you are concerned about the future of Monroe County, you’ve come to right place.
Harry B. Bronson
Democratic Minority Leader
Breaking News from the Democratic Caucus
Click HERE to View the 2009 Proposed Monroe County Budget
Monroe County Faces Potential Bankruptcy within a Decade
Democrats: Reduce Spending Growth to Prevent Fiscal Disaster
Rochester, New York –December 8, 2008. Democrats in the Monroe County Legislature today announced that if nothing is done to address the long-term structural deficit, the County faces bankruptcy within a decade or sooner. The projection was made based on the average annual decline in the County’s net assets—or the County’s total property and resources minus its liabilities—over the past six years of $57 million.
If the decline in net assets were to speed up, which is certainly possible given the current economic conditions, the County could face bankruptcy even sooner. Democrats were quick to point out that an actual declaration of bankruptcy is unlikely, given that the State could impose a Financial Control Board, similar to the one imposed in Erie County, in the year’s leading up to the net assets reaching zero, which Democrats predict could happen by 2018 at the current rate of decline.
Democratic Leader Harry Bronson (D-Rochester, Brighton & Henrietta) said, “Instead of making the difficult decisions and implementing long-term solutions to the structural budget deficit, the Republican majority has used one-shot revenue items which have only made matters worse. After more than a decade of these flawed policies, this County is quickly heading towards bankruptcy. The taxpayers we represent certainly expect more than a continuation of the same failed policies."
In terms of dollars, Monroe County’s net assets have declined to $638 million in 2007, the most recent year for which data is available, from $981 million in 2001. In percentage terms, that’s a 35% drop in only six years. If this trend continues, net assets will reach zero—or the County’s liabilities will exceed its assets—by or before 2018.
Ranking Minority Member on the Ways & Means Committee Paul Haney (D-Rochester & Brighton) said, “This disturbing trend should serve as a wake-up call to our colleagues in the Majority. They can no longer sit idly by while the County races down this road to bankruptcy. Something has got to be done to address this long-term structural deficit and that’s why they should join our call for each department head to present a spending growth reduction plan to the Legislature. That is the best way for us to begin to address this looming disaster.”
The 2009 budget will exacerbate the decline in net assets by using so-called one-shot revenues to close an alleged $33 million current year deficit. The budget will be voted on by the full Legislature on Tuesday, December 9, at 6:00 pm.
For More Headlines, Check out the Newsroom
The 2009 County Budget Fails the People of Monroe County: GOP Ignores Looming $104 Million Deficit
Rochester, New York –December 2, 2008. Democrats in the Monroe County Legislature announced their opposition to the proposed 2009 County budget, calling it fiscally irresponsible and unsustainable. Included in the Republican budget is a projected deficit of $104 million in two years.
Democratic Minority Leader Harry Bronson (D-Rochester, Brighton, Henrietta) said, “The people of this County deserve better than the Republican approach of taking future revenue through one-shots to cover current year operating costs. This borrow and spend approach will place today’s fiscal burden upon our children. Difficult times require difficult choices. If the Republicans insist upon going down the path of deficit spending, then they have a responsibility to propose a reasonable, long-term plan that shows exactly how they will bridge this monstrous $104 million deficit created by their own budget policies.”
The use of one-shot revenue sources to fund this year’s operating costs creates about $19 million of the County's projected future deficits.
Legislator and Ranking Minority Member of the Ways & Means Committee Paul Haney (D-Rochester, Brighton) said, “Year after year we’ve seen this administration increase spending and give up future revenues to patch over current shortfalls, which only serves to compound our fiscal challenges. It’s time to get real about the crisis facing all levels of government. We’re in the midst of the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, yet our Republican colleagues insist on increasing spending almost five percent. This budget is both fiscally irresponsible and unsustainable. Our community deserves better.”
The Republican budget calls for selling future revenue, a process known as securitizing, from certain tax agreements known as Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT). This is equivalent to a citizen selling their future paycheck to pay today’s bills. In addition, the budget calls for selling additional tax liens. If 2007 is any indication, the County will lose money on the sale of its liens and once again sacrifice incoming revenue from the interest and penalties owed on overdue taxes which only exacerbates the budget problem.
The budget will come before the Legislature’s Ways & Means Committee on December 4 at 5:30 pm; a formal public hearing will be held at the beginning of this meeting. The public is encouraged to attend. To view the Republican history of One-Shots, please click here.
Democrats Disappointed with Steep Day Care Cuts
Rochester, New York – August 1, 2008. Democrats in the Monroe County Legislature expressed shock and disappointment at today’s announcement that Maggie Brooks intends on cutting the income threshold for day care subsidies from 165% to a disgraceful 125% of the federal poverty level. In real dollars, this means that a single mother must earn less than $17,500 annually to qualify for day care subsidies, down from $23,100 annually.
The change will have the effect of pushing many Monroe County families further into poverty by eliminating their ability to provide safe, quality child care so they can earn a living wage and raise their family. This change is the most severe in recent memory, even steeper than former County Executive Jack Doyle’s cut down to 140% in 2002.
Legislator Carrie Andrews (D-Rochester) said, “Today’s announcement is a slap in the face to the hard working families in our county that struggle to put food on the table while keeping their children safe. I strongly implore the Executive to reconsider this decision due to the long-term social and fiscal consequences it will reap to taxpayers. Numerous studies have proven the long-term cost reductions to criminal justice, education and health care expenditures when parents have access to safe, affordable child care. Simply put, this is the wrong direction for our county.”
Democrats are committed to breaking down the financial barriers that prevent children from receiving safe, affordable child care and will fight further cuts in this area of critical importance to our community’s most vulnerable citizens.
