More than 800 county officials convened in Albany to for the New York State Association of Counties’ (NYSAC) Centennial Legislative Conference.
At the conference, county officials attended educational workshops and general sessions focused on topics ranging from the state budget, economic development, higher education funding, clean energy, and municipal workforce development. County officials also participated in bi-partisan standing committee meetings, adopting a series of policy resolutions that will bolster NYSAC’s 2025 advocacy efforts. View the resolutions here.
Unique to this year’s event, the conference featured a celebration of NYSAC’s centennial anniversary, including a reception hosted by Governor Kathy Hochul to unveil a new exhibit at the State Capitol that explores the 62 counties’ foundational beginnings, defining milestones, and continued role in shaping the state and the addition of two new county carvings – Nassau and Bronx – that were added to the Capitol’s Great Western Staircase.
“The centennial anniversary of NYSAC is an incredible milestone and a testament to the leadership and dedication of generations of county officials who have made this association what it is today,” NYSAC President and Westchester County Legislator Benjamin Boykin II. “We’re incredibly proud to celebrate this achievement and grateful to Governor Hochul and New York State for working with us to create this wonderful exhibit that will further New Yorkers’ understanding of counties’ vital role in our state’s history and in their daily lives.”
NYSAC was founded in 1925 as the New York State County Officers Association by county officials seeking to unify the county voice in Albany and create a forum for sharing ideas and experience. As counties and complexity, so too did NYSAC, opening its first physical office in 1956. Permanent staff and proximity to the capital helped NYSAC achieve many significant policy and fiscal victories over the century. Most notable in more recent years, NYSAC was instrumental in:
- Establishing and protecting a cap on county Medicaid contributions,
- Implementing sales taxes on internet sales ($2.5 billion for counties),
- Achieving $3.8 billion in direct Covid stimulus for counties,
- Historic pension reform,
- Improving EMS Services,
- Advocating for $4.5 billion in state aid to counties over the last 5 years,
- Establishing a regulatory framework for short term rental units, and
- Securing nearly $200 million from opioid settlements to fight opioid epidemic locally.
“For a century, NYSAC has been the unifying voice for New York’s counties, fostering collaboration and advocating for excellence in county government,” said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen Acquario said. “Conferences like this are an invaluable opportunity for the county leaders to leverage their association to learn about emerging issues and share ideas and best practices and have been vital to the success of NYSAC over the last century.
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