New York Conference of Mayors

Our annual meeting at the Sagamore Resort is less than a week away. Have you registered yet?

Thank you to our partners for their support:
- The Comp Alliance
- New York Municipal Insurance Reciprocal (NYCOM)

Register today: https://nysconferenceofmayors.regfox.com/2024-annual-meeting-attendee-registration

📢 ANNUAL MEETING AND TRAINING SCHOOL 📢

Next week (May 15-17, 2024), NYCOM will host its Annual Meeting and Training School at the beautiful and majestic Sagamore Resort in Bolton Landing. This event is full of seminars and trainings that support mayors and municipal officials - whether you are in your first term or well into your career - to better serve their constituencies.

It is also an incredible opportunity to network with your fellow officials and with vendors/exhibitors that work with local governments.

Registration is open: https://nysconferenceofmayors.regfox.com/2024-annual-meeting-attendee-registration

Don't delay - register today! And if you're already registered, we'll see you next week!

With this year's enacted budget, cities and villages across New York State will receive a temporary increase of $50 million in Aid and Incentives for Municipalities (AIM) funding. Thanks to champions such Assemblymember John T. McDonald III (a former Cohoes Mayor and former NYCOM President), Assemblymember Patricia A. Fahy, and state legislators across the Empire State, we are able to receive this funding - the first increase in 15 years.

Earlier this week, NYCOM President Albany Mayor Kathy M. Sheehan hosted a press conference to tout this victory, joined by Capital Region mayors including Troy Mayor Carmella Mantello, Cohoes Mayor Bill Keeler, and Watervliet Mayor Charles Patricelli. Each of the mayors touted how these critical funds will be used to adminster essential municipal services and maintain operations.

If you have not registed yet, our annual meeting at the majestic Sagamore Resort in Bolton Landing on May 15-17, visit nycom.org to register today. Room reservations at the Sagamore itself have sold out.

❗ AN ADDITIONAL $50 MILLION IN UNRESTRICTED AID FOR CITIES, TOWNS, AND VILLAGES ❗

Through the dedicated work of all of you as members of NYCOM, the SFY 2024-25 Budget will now include additional unrestricted funds for local government. Please read the statement below from our executive director, Barbara Van Epps.:

"NYCOM is happy to report that after 15 years, the Adopted State Budget includes an additional $50 million in unrestricted state aid for cities, villages and towns.

While this may not translate into significant dollars for all of our members, we do see this as a positive step forward and hopefully the beginning of a stronger and more meaningful state-local partnership. My deepest gratitude to so many of you who made calls, met with legislators, sent letters, attended press conferences, passed resolutions, and joined us for Lobby Day. We are clearly stronger together!"

In today's Times Union, Mayor Kathy Sheehan, Mayor Gary McCarthy, and Mayor Carmella Mantello make the case: costs have increased a lot over the past 15 years. Why has state aid to cities remained stagnant?

NYCOM strongly encourages you to reach out to Governor Hochul, your State Senator, and your State Assemblymember to increase AIM funding in this year's state budget.

Commentary: Costs have increased a lot over the past 15 years. Why has state aid to cities remained stagnant? Commentary: New York's cities and villages need more help from the state. Increase funding for the Aid and Incentives for Municipalities Program.

381.

That's how many mayors and municipal officials from New York's cities and villages have answered our call and agreed to sign NYCOM's letter to State Leaders requesting an increase in municipal aid in the 2024-25 State Budget.

As you may know, Governor Hochul’s proposed 2024-25 Executive Budget maintains AIM funding at current-year levels – and while the Senate and Assembly have included AIM increases in their one-house budgets in the past, unfortunately these actions have not translated into any additional unrestricted aid for cities, villages and towns since 2009. Therefore, we once again need to make our case as to why an increase in AIM funding is essential to the vitality of our communities and the quality of life for our residents. We hope this letter will help in that effort.

State and local leaders share the same goals – to make New York State safer, stronger and more affordable. Our members want to forge a partnership to achieve those goals, but we cannot do that without the support and investment from the State.

City of Syracuse - Office of the Mayor Ben Walsh: "Safe, reliable and well-maintained roads and highways are critical to unlocking the full economic potential of New York. When our state leaders enhance the financial commitment to New York’s local highway infrastructure, it’s not just an investment in concrete and asphalt, it’s a pathway to a more prosperous New York."

Thanks to The Post-Standard for publishing Mayor Walsh's op-ed in support of increasing CHIPS funding in this year's state budget.

Good roads are smart investment for stronger, safer communities (Guest Opinion by Ben Walsh) Syracuse mayor and his fellow city leaders urge state legislators to increase funding for repairing and maintaining critical infrastructure.

📌 Mayors, municipal officials, town supervisors, and town leaders join together in Albany to demand increases state funding for cities, villages, and towns for the first time in 15 years 📌

Today, we wrapped up our statewide tour here in Albany at the State Capitol to highlight the need to increase Aid and Incentives for Municipalities (AIM) Program. We were joined by the Association of Towns (AOT), along with Assemblyman Steve Otis at the Million Dollar Staircase.

We were asked by our state leaders to make noise about this across New York State and that's exactly what we did. And in each region - whether that was Long Island, Westchester County, Western New York, the Finger Lakes, and the Capital Region, mayors made their voices loud and clear.

AIM funding, set at $715 million, has not increased in 15 years — directly affecting the ability of local governments to respond to the growing demands on public safety and other essential municipal services. Although there are encouraging proposals by the Assembly and the Senate that increase AIM program funding by $210 million and $100 million respectively, we need to keep the momentum through this budget season to keep the pressure.

As the collective voice for New York’s cities and villages, it's imperative that we advocate for our members with the challenges they face daily through the lack of additional unrestricted state aid. Mayors share the same goals as our state leaders — to keep our communities safe and affordable — but we can’t do that on our own. We need an ongoing commitment from the state to be a partner in our efforts to break down the barriers to efficiency and community revitalization.

Please continue to reach out to the Governor's office, legislative leadership, and your respective representatives in the Senate and Assembly to push them to make increasing AIM funding in this year's state budget a top priority.

📌 Buffalo Mayor, Erie County, Niagara County mayors to State: increase state funding for cities and villages for the first time in 15 years 📌

Today, we visited the Queen City, Buffalo, as part of our statewide tour to highlight the need to increase Aid and Incentives for Municipalities (AIM) Program. Across New York State, we're making loud and clear the voices of our mayors need to be heard by our state leaders.

This funding, set at $715 million, has not increased in 15 years — directly affecting the ability of local governments to respond to the growing demands on public safety and other essential municipal services. Although there are encouraging proposals by the Assembly and the Senate that increase AIM program funding, we need to keep the momentum through this budget season to keep the pressure.

Thanks to Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown for hosting today's press conference.

As the collective voice for New York’s cities and villages, this tour will showcase and highlight the very real challenges our members deal with daily through the lack of additional unrestricted state aid. Mayors share the same goals as our state leaders — to keep our communities safe and affordable — but we can’t do that on our own. We need an ongoing commitment from the state to be a partner in our efforts to break down the barriers to efficiency and community revitalization.

Thank you to all the mayors from across Erie and Niagara counties who attended today's rally. Tomorrow at 10:15 a.m., we will join the Association of Towns in capping off our tour at the State Capitol (Million Dollar Staircase) in Albany.

Happy First Day of Spring 🌼. More importantly, today is the first Election Day of the year for certain villages across New York State (with the second being on Tuesday, June 18).

Polls for this set of village elections are open today from Noon to 9 p.m., unless otherwise noted. In many cases, village elections are non-partisan.

For more information, visit www.nycom.org/images/documents/handbooks/2024calofdates.pdf.

📌 Rochester Mayor, Monroe County mayors to State: increase state funding for cities and villages for the first time in 15 years 📌

We've embarked on the second leg of our statewide tour to highlight the need to increase Aid and Incentives for Municipalities (AIM) Program - visiting the great City of Rochester. Across New York State, we're making loud and clear the voices of our mayors need to be heard by our state leaders.

This funding, set at $715 million, has not increased in 15 years — directly affecting the ability of local governments to respond to the growing demands on public safety and other essential municipal services. Although there are encouraging proposals by the Assembly and the Senate that increase AIM program funding, we need to keep the momentum through this budget season to keep the pressure.

Today's event was hosted by Rochester Mayor Malik D. Evans.

As the collective voice for New York’s cities and villages, this tour will showcase and highlight the very real challenges our members deal with daily through the lack of additional unrestricted state aid. Mayors share the same goals as our state leaders — to keep our communities safe and affordable — but we can’t do that on our own. We need an ongoing commitment from the state to be a partner in our efforts to break down the barriers to efficiency and community revitalization.

Thank you to all the mayors from across Monroe County who attended today's rally. Tomorrow, we visit Buffalo and finally on Wednesday, we will be the State Capitol in Albany.

Please join NYCOM’s Women’s Advisory Committee (WAC) for our Second Annual Women's History Month webinar in celebration of the remarkable contributions of women leaders to local democracy. For this empowering session, we are honored to host Ambassador Nina Hachigian, a distinguished diplomat and passionate advocate for gender equality, as she shares her insights and experiences on how women shape democratic processes from the ground up.

The webinar will take place on Thursday, March 21 from noon to 1 p.m.

Ambassador Hachigian is the first U.S. Special Representative for City and State Diplomacy. In this role she seeks to bring benefits to, and learn from, local leaders in the United States, and connect them to counterparts around the world.

From community activism to political representation, women leaders are instrumental in fostering inclusive governance, championing human rights, and driving sustainability and climate responsiveness. Drawing from her career and dedication to democracy, climate resiliency, and women's empowerment, Ambassador Hachigian will explore the unique perspectives and approaches that women bring to leadership positions that help them build resilient and responsive communities.

Through questions posited by members of the WAC, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by women leaders in their pursuit of a more equitable and participatory democracy.

Whether you're a seasoned advocate for gender equality or simply curious about the intersection of women's leadership and democracy, this webinar promises to be an inspiring and thought-provoking discussion.

Don't miss this opportunity to engage with Ambassador Nina Hachigian and fellow participants in a dynamic conversation on the transformative power of women's leadership in advancing democratic principles from the local government level.

This webinar is FREE to NYCOM Members. The cost for Non-Members to participate is $50 per registration.

https://nysconferenceofmayors.regfox.com/2024-womens-advisory-webinar

Happy St. Patrick's Day 🍀

📌 Join us next week in Rochester, Buffalo, and Albany 📌

Our statewide tour to continue to advocate for increasing AIM funding for cities and villages continues next week in Rochester, Buffalo, and Albany.

📍 Rochester (at City Hall) on Monday, March 18 at 11 a.m.
📍 Buffalo (at City Hall) on Tuesday, March 19 at 11 a.m.
📍 Albany (at State Capitol) on Wednesday, March 20 at 10:15 a.m.

Make your voice heard!

Wednesday, March 20 is also Local Government Lobby Day in Albany. Please register today at NYCOM.org.

A total of 370 city and village mayors have answered our call and agreed to sign NYCOM's letter to State Leaders requesting an increase in municipal aid in the 2024-25 State Budget.

Notwithstanding the vigorous lobbying efforts of NYCOM and our members, the past 15 state budgets have failed to include an increase in AIM funding, which is the only form of unrestricted aid cities, villages and towns receive. During these 15 years, the cost of providing essential municipal services has increased significantly – not to mention you have a two percent property tax cap to contend with.

As you may know, Governor Hochul’s proposed 2024-25 Executive Budget maintains AIM funding at current-year levels – and while the Senate and Assembly have included AIM increases in their one-house budgets in the past, unfortunately these actions have not translated into any additional unrestricted aid for cities, villages and towns since 2009. Therefore, we once again need to make our case as to why an increase in AIM funding is essential to the vitality of our communities and the quality of life for our residents. We hope this letter will help in that effort.

State and local leaders share the same goals – to make New York State safer, stronger and more affordable. Our members want to forge a partnership to achieve those goals, but we cannot do that without the support and investment from the State.

📌 Westchester County mayors to State: increase state funding for cities and villages for the first time in 15 years 📌

Earlier, we made our next stop on our statewide tour to highlight the need to increase Aid and Incentives for Municipalities (AIM) Program. Across New York State, we're making loud and clear the voices of our mayors need to be heard by our state leaders.

This funding, set at $715 million, has not increased in 15 years — directly affecting the ability of local governments to respond to the growing demands on public safety and other essential municipal services.

The event was hosted by the City of White Plains, Mayor Thomas M. Roach. Mayor Roach himself is a past president of NYCOM's board of directors.

As the collective voice for New York’s cities and villages, this tour will showcase and highlight the very real challenges our members deal with daily through the lack of additional unrestricted state aid. Mayors share the same goals as our state leaders — to keep our communities safe and affordable — but we can’t do that on our own. We need an ongoing commitment from the state to be a partner in our efforts to break down the barriers to efficiency and community revitalization.

Thank you to all the mayors from across Westchester County who attended today's rally. Our next stops will be Western and Central New York - capping the tour in Albany in March. Stay tuned on more details!

📌 Long Island mayors to State: increase state funding for cities and villages for the first time in 15 years 📌

Earlier today, we kicked off our statewide tour to highlight the need to increase Aid and Incentives for Municipalities (AIM) Program.

This funding, set at $715 million, has not increased in 15 years — directly affecting the ability of local governments to respond to the growing demands on public safety and other essential municipal services.

The kickoff event was hosted outside of Village Hall by Village of Rockville Centre Mayor Francis X. Murray, who is the immediate past president of NYCOM.

As the collective voice for New York’s cities and villages, this tour will showcase and highlight the very real challenges our members deal with daily through the lack of additional unrestricted state aid. Mayors share the same goals as our state leaders — to keep our communities safe and affordable — but we can’t do that on our own. We need an ongoing commitment from the state to be a partner in our efforts to break down the barriers to efficiency and community revitalization.

Thank you to all the mayors from across Nassau and Suffolk counties who attended today's rally. Our next stops will be White Plains, Western and Central New York, and capping the tour in Albany in March.

We're going on tour 📌

This week, we are kicking off a statewide media tour to urge the Governor and the State Legislature to increase unrestricted aid to cities and villages for the first time in 15 years. The tour will also tout other key legislative priorities related to municipal infrastructure and community redevelopment.

The tour will start on Long Island in the Village of Rockville Centre (at Village Hall) on Thursday, Feb. 22 at 11 a.m., followed by City of White Plains, Mayor Thomas M. Roach (in City Hall) on Friday. Feb. 23 at 11:45 a.m. The tour will then resume in mid-March, visiting Buffalo and Syracuse before wrapping up in Albany (Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan).

The tour’s primary focus will be on the impact that Aid and Incentives for Municipalities (AIM) funding has on the state’s cities and villages. This funding, set at $715 million, has not increased in 15 years – directly affecting the ability of local governments to respond to the growing demands on public safety and other essential municipal services.

You're invited to join us at each of these events and please share to get the word out.

Happy Presidents' Day from all of us here at NYCOM.

Our executive director, Barbara Van Epps, spoke with Spectrum News' Susan Arbetter on Capital Tonight about this year's legislative priorities for cities and villages. Tune in tonight at 7 p.m. on Spectrum News.

Many thanks to NYS Comptroller DiNapoli for once again spending time with our city and village leaders at NYCOM's Winter Legislative Meeting & your strong support for increased AIM funding for the governments closest to the people.

For the first time in nearly 100 years, parts of Upstate New York will be prime viewing areas for a total solar eclipse on April 8 - mark your calendars!

Upstate NY is one of the best places to see 2024 total solar eclipse: Plan your trip now With about half of Upstate set to be in the path of totality in April, experts urge travelers to book hotel rooms now.

Thank you to and for their joint op-ed published in the today. Their insights and perspective on the importance of including local governments in discussions about addressing mental health, addiction, and homelessness in our communities throughout NYS are crucial to developing a solution for these needs.

Read the full op-ed here: https://streaklinks.com/BzWrASWNDThGc9RNRwmsiDc6/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.timesunion.com%2Fopinion%2Farticle%2Fcommunities-triple-threat-addiction-mental-18589461.php%3FIPID%3DTimes-Union-opinion-centerpiece