Category Archives: economy

ANALYZING THE 2017 COUNTY BUDGET

Posted on January 3, 2017 by dtpullen

The County Legislature approved the 2017 Allegany County Budget at its November 28th session. We have come a long way since I first joined the Board in January 2006. The County was then facing a Budget deficit of $5 million. … Continue reading →

Posted in Allegany County Government, economy, Local Government | Tagged County Budget, deficit, Economics, Education, expenses, government, revenue, services, state mandates, tax rate | Leave a comment

NASTY DOUBLE STANDARD – NYS “TAX CAP” HYPOCRISY

Posted on August 23, 2016 by dtpullen

In 2013 the State imposed a “Tax Cap” on Allegany County (and all other NYS municipalities). At the time Governor Cuomo declared that local governments must learn to “live within their means.’ The Governor’s comments represent extreme hypocrisy. Most local … Continue reading →

Posted in Allegany County Government, economy, Federal Government, Local Government, NY State Government | Tagged Affordable Care Act, Allegany County, County Budget, County Government, county taxes, Economics, Executive Order, government, Governor Cuomo, hypocrisy, Medicaid, minimum wage, Obamacare, politics, State Aid, State Government, state mandates, Tax Cap, taxes | Leave a comment

ECONOMIC DYSFUNCTION

Posted on July 12, 2016 by dtpullen

The world economy isn’t doing very well. Free trade and expanded markets have not delivered the wealth and progress promised by the experts. We survived the “Great Recession,” and a few sectors of our society have even done quite well … Continue reading →

Posted in economy, Federal Government, National Issues, Political | Tagged banking system, economic development, Economics, economy, Federal Reserve Bank, government, middle class, politics, quantitative easing, Wall Street, wealth inequality | Leave a comment

SOUND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

Posted on July 5, 2016 by dtpullen

The second monthly meeting of the Allegany County Legislature was held on Monday, June 27th, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. Twelve Legislators were present, with three absent. Former Air Force Senior Airman Daniel Fuller, of Scio led us in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Allegany County Government, economy, Local Government, Veterans | Tagged Allegany County, County Government, county legislature, county treasurer, economic development, Economics, financial management, fund balance, government, land bank, landfill closure, Office For the Aging, taxes, transportation services, youth programs | Leave a comment

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT VISION, MISSION STATEMENT AND OBJECTIVES

Posted on May 9, 2016 by dtpullen

If you don’t have a clear understanding of what you want to accomplish it becomes very difficult to achieve your desired results. That realization motivated a group of education leaders, business leaders and government leaders to spend almost a full … Continue reading →

Posted in Allegany County Government, economy, Local Government, Uncategorized | Tagged Allegany County, attracting businesses, economic development, Economics, government, Mission Statement, planning group, Vision Statement | Leave a comment

ISSUES, ISSUES, EVERYWHERE!!!

Posted on April 25, 2016 by dtpullen

Some issues get lots of attention, and some issues are ignored. Sometimes the reasons issues get attention, or inattention, are obvious and easy to understand. Sometimes the reasons for the attention, or inattention, are hard to figure out. I want … Continue reading →

Posted in Allegany County Government, economy, Local Government | Tagged Allegany County, County Government, county taxes, derelict buildings, economy, government, land bank, landfill, real property, sales taxes, solid waste disposal, tax revenue | Leave a comment

2016 NEW YORK STATE BUDGET SHENANIGANS

Posted on April 13, 2016 by dtpullen

New York State government is almost totally dysfunctional. This is clearly demonstrated by the 2016 State Budget that was adopted on April 1st. For example, Governor Andrew Cuomo issued “messages of necessity” (to get around pre-filing deadlines) to allow the … Continue reading →

Posted in economy, NY State Government, Political, Uncategorized | Tagged economy, government, job loss, Medicaid, minimum wage, paid family leave, politics, state budget, State Government | Leave a comment

THE BETRAYAL OF THE MIDDLE CLASS

Posted on March 29, 2016 by dtpullen

Like most of you, I have been following the very entertaining, but increasingly frustrating presidential campaign for both the Republican and Democratic Party nominations. It is apparent that many middle class Americans are very dissatisfied with the status quo, … Continue reading →

Posted in economy, Federal Government, Health Insurance, National Issues, Political | Tagged Affordable Care Act, birth citizenship, Democratic Party, Economics, education debt, FICA, immigration, Medicaid, middle class, minimum wage, National Debt, Obamacare, politics, Republican Party, Social Security, Student Aid | Leave a comment

BASIC ECONOMIC REALITY

Posted on January 25, 2016 by dtpullen

Governor Andrew Cuomo delivered his 2016 “State of the State” Address earlier this month. Much of it was exactly what was expected. However, he made several specific proposals that could have devastating consequences for individuals, businesses, taxpayers and local governments … Continue reading →

Posted in economy, Local Government, NY State Government, Uncategorized | Tagged Economics, economy, immigrants, loss of jobs, minimum wage, politics, productivity, State Government, state mandates, Tax Cap | 2 Comments

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND GOVERNMENT

Posted on December 28, 2015 by dtpullen

One of the major goals of the Allegany County Legislature in 2015 has been to encourage economic development. For several years our Board has focused on cutting expenses and reducing taxes. This was reasonable and appropriate. However, it has become … Continue reading →

Posted in Allegany County Government, economy, Local Government, Uncategorized | Tagged Allegany County, businesses, county taxes, developers, economic development, Economics, government, New Forest Economy, services | 1 Comment