© 2024
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
An update has been released for the Android version of the WAMC App that addresses performance issues. Please check the Google Play Store to download and update to the latest version.

Cuomo Vetoes Annexation Oversight Bill

WAMC, Allison Dunne
Assemblyman James Skoufis, et. al., calling on Governor Cuomo to sign annexation oversight bill

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has vetoed for the second consecutive year an annexation oversight bill sponsored by Hudson Valley lawmakers.

Democrat James Skoufis, who sponsored the bill in the Assembly, alleges the veto is politically driven despite the governor’s argument that the bill is unconstitutional. The legislation, which Republican Bill Larkin sponsored in the Senate, would have given county planning departments a formal role in an annexation review process but not require their approval. Dr. Gerald Benjamin, an authority on state government, had written to the governor urging his support of the legislation.

“Now in my view, and I know something about the state constitution, this is not an unconstitutional matter. This bill conforms to the state constitution,” Benjamin said.

Skoufis says the impetus for the bill was a proposal from Kiryas Joel to annex 507 acres.

Related Content