Wendel Among Coalition Pushing NYS to Ease Financial Burden on Counties

Chautauqua County Executive P.J. Wendel is part of a bipartisan coalition of county leaders from across New York urging Governor Kathy Hochul to have the state take on the additional costs being placed on counties next year related to unfunded mandates. Wendel, who is with the group in Onondaga County at an event hosted by the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC), says those mandates consist of roughly two-thirds of Chautauqua County's tax levy in his proposed 2027 budget...

P.J. Wendel: nearly $50 million of the levy

Wendel, who was a guest on WDOE's "Viewpoint" program on Monday, is critical of the state being able to use billions of dollars to "bail out" New York City while continuing to pass on lesser costs to counties. He mentioned SNAP as an example...

P.J. Wendel: critical of bailing out New York City

Counties are being asked to pay 75% of SNAP costs in 2027 due to changes in the program at the federal level.