PSC AGREES TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARING ON O&R RATE HIKE by Ken Mahoney

PSC AGREES TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARING ON O&R RATE HIKE by Ken Mahoney

Rocklanders will get a public hearing on Orange and Rockland’s proposed gas-rate increase after all. The state Public Service Commission has agreed to hold a televised session, allowing viewers to call or e-mail comments during the live cable-cast. The paper says the deal was brokered by Ramapo Supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence. He’ll host the televised session, slated for June 11 at Ramapo Town Hall. That’s four days before a scheduled public forum at Orangetown town hall called by all five Rockland town supervisors in response to the PSC’s initial decision NOT to hold public hearings on the proposed 5.4% rate-increase on gas deliveries.

NO HEARINGS SET FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON O&R GAS-RATE HIKE by Ken Mahoney

NO HEARINGS SET FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON O&R GAS-RATE HIKE by Ken Mahoney

The state Public Service Commission is taking public comment on Orange and Rockland’s proposed rate increase for gas delivery. But this time, there won’t be the usual public hearings. The PSC says only written comments will be taken, a commission spokeswoman noting that Rocklanders “won’t have to be inconvenienced by coming in person.” It’s actually the second go-round for the proposed increase. O&R initially sought a gas-delivery hike of just under four percent, but then raised its request to nearly five and a-half percent. That rate would add close to 145-dollars to the average O-and-R customer’s yearly bill. The public has until July 30th to comment in writing to the PSC.

ECONOMIC WOES TOP CONCERN IN UPCOMING SCHOOL BOARD/BUDGET VOTES by Ken Mahoney

ECONOMIC WOES TOP CONCERN IN UPCOMING SCHOOL BOARD/BUDGET VOTES by Ken Mahoney

The countdown continues with just one week left for school board elections and budget votes throughout Rockland County. Taxes and spending are especially big issues this year, as school districts face spiraling economic woes. A statewide business research group, the Public Policy Institute, says school officials are holding the line in their budget proposals. The group’s annual “School Tax Watch” report says districts are requesting an average per-pupil spending increase of just three percent, the lowest in recent years

MTA BAILOUT SET FOR PASSAGE IN ALBANY; ROCKLAND LEGISLATORS OPPOSED by Ken Mahoney

MTA BAILOUT SET FOR PASSAGE IN ALBANY; ROCKLAND LEGISLATORS OPPOSED by Ken Mahoney

State legislators were set to vote today on the MTA bailout bill. Legislative leaders and Governor David Paterson reached a deal on the controversial measure yesterday – the most contentious issue being the proposed Payroll Mobility Tax. That would require employers in the MTA region, including Rockland County, would be taxed an additional 34 cents per one-hundred dollars of payroll. Both the State Senate and Assembly were expected to approve the two-and-a-quarter billion-dollar package over the objection of Rockland legislators. Both Democrat-controlled chambers are dominated numerically by legislators from New York City, which arguably benefits most from the bailout plan.