Otsego Democrats Concerned About Federal Cuts that Will Likely Impact Local Budgets

By MONICA CALZOLARI
ONEONTA

It’s budget season. “There’s a lot we don’t know,” said Adrienne Martini, a member of the Otsego County Board of Representatives, to a group of about 15 people gathered in the community room at Green Earth Health Market on the morning of Saturday, September 13.

Martini led an informal discussion about the potential financial impacts of the passage of the federal government’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act on local residents and programs. She is a resident of the City of Oneonta and represents District No. 12 and Wards Three and Four on the county board.

Valerie Cole, a member of the Steering Committee for the Otsego County Democrats, announced a number of opportunities for folks to get involved, including a dance party on Saturday, September 27 at 6 p.m., free canvasing training, an upcoming meet and greet at Wise Guy Sammy’s, and a second No Kings protest on the lawn by the Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center on Saturday, October 18, among others.

Martini said that Otsego County does not receive much money from the federal government directly. The money goes to the state government in Albany first and then is allocated, she said.

The State of New York’s budget is due April 1 each year. The federal government must pass its budget by the end of September, although Democrats are currently debating a government shutdown to oppose cuts to social spending. The counties, cities and town budgets follow.

Martini concentrated on the possible fate of three programs that are most vulnerable: the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Home Energy Assistance Program and Medicaid.

“SNAP is likely changing,” she said.

Until the Farm Bill passes at the federal level, the repercussions will not be known, Martini explained. The State of New York and the county currently share the cost of administering the SNAP program.

Each funds 50 percent of the administrative costs. Martini said she has heard that the county may bear 75 percent of the expense in the future. How the county will make up the difference is unknown. Martini said new HEAP applications cannot currently be processed.

According to Martini, qualifying for Medicaid used to be reviewed every 12 months and will change to every six months. She said this essentially doubles the workload without any financial assistance to manage the additional work.

Heidi Siegfried, also in attendance, has been a health policy associate for the NY Association of Independent Living for the past 20 years. Medicaid policy is her expertise.

“Cuts to Medicaid funding will affect local hospitals and nursing homes,” she projected.

She estimates that 400,000-500,000 people will lose Medicaid coverage in New York State.

Elayne Mosher Campoli, a member of the Oneonta Common Council representing the First Ward, said, “I work with disability recipients, and it can take more than six months to receive benefits.”

Mosher Campoli said she is receiving lots of questions from applicants that she is currently unable to answer.

Martini estimates that Otsego County’s Commissioner for Disability Support Services will need to add five staff members to review qualifications. The county budget is already tight, she said, so adding salary and benefits for five additional employees will strain the budget.

“A lot of the services the county provides are mandated,” Martini said. “We must start to cut programs that are not mandated.”

“Technically, SNAP administration is not mandated,” she added.

College Democrats

Charlie Miller introduced himself as the new president of the SUNY Oneonta College Democrats.

“Students mostly worry about what they see on their Instagram and Tik Tok feed,” he said.

Miller’s message to students is that they cannot do much about what is happening at the federal level. They can, however, make a difference at the local level, he said. The club will be holding voter registration drives on campus.

Miller said he is part of Oneonta Mayor Mark Drnek’s Town-Gown Task Force. He plans to attend the October 18 No Kings rally and bring as many students as possible. He pointed out that the national organization states that it is committed to nonviolent action.

There were 5-6 million attendees across the country at the No Kings peaceful protests nationwide. Almost 1,300 people attended No Kings 1.0 in Oneonta, one woman at the gathering reported.

“It is really important to show up,” she said.

To Miller’s knowledge, there are only a few SUNY campuses with Democrat Clubs, including SUNY One-onta, SUNY Albany and Binghamton University.

Early Voting

Gary Maffei reminded everyone that Saturday, October 25 is the beginning of early voting. The November 4 voting will be held at the Foothills; early voting will take place at the Brenner Building, located in Neahwa Park at 24 Bertus Lauren Drive, next to the pond.

Maffei gave everyone running for office an opportunity to speak.

Candidates

Kim Fierke currently serves on the Town of Oneonta board. Her term expires on December 31 of this year and she is running for re-election. Fierke is on the ballot as an Independent.

“I espouse Democratic values,” she said.

Dan Buttermann announced that he will be part of the upcoming Candidate Forum on Tuesday, October 28. His motto is a “Better Oneonta.”

Will Rivera is running for Oneonta town supervisor, a position that is currently vacant.

“Campaigning is ridiculously hard and expensive,” he commented.
Rivera said several of his signs have already disappeared.