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Property Taxes Cannot Pay for Our Nation's Health Safety Net Subtitle D

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Property Taxes Cannot Pay for Our Nation's Health Safety Net Subtitle D - 5) (se VoL Na. 19 ~ October 11, 1993 Property taxes cannot pay for our nation's health safety net The list ofquestions concerning the county role in the Administration's health reform package grouJs )3, ~ and hospital services, and provid- By Tom Goodman ing care to 40 million people each public affairs director year. In more than 30 states, coun- ties are legally responsible forindi- County officials strongly sup- gent health care and required to pay port many aspects of President a portion ofthe non- federal share of Clinton's health reform proposal, Medicaid in more than 20 states. although the number ofunanswered "Counties have been providing questions regarding the proposal has health services to those Americans grown quickly from single digits to who have nowhere else to go," a list of 37. At a news conference, Shipnuck said. "Buttreating a basic Oct. 4, in Washington, D.C., NACo illness in a county hospital emer- representatives outlined their reac- gency room is notefficientoreffec- tions. tive. The president's plan, which "We applaud the president for emphasizes prevention, public including in his proposal universal health and having the basic benefits access, abroad, basic benefits pack- package, is the type ofreform that is age and the mandate to employers needed." to provide coverage," said Monterey However, county officials do County (Calif.) Supervisor Barbara have concerns with the proposal. i Shipnuck. "We need this proposal The list of 37 questions will be x because property taxes cannot con- raised with the president and Con- "os tinue to pay for our nation's health gress as the proposal moves for- safety net." ward, Shipnuck said. Photo by Tom Goodman County governments are the gov- Two such concerns, Shipnuck 0-r) St. Louis County (Minn)Commissioner MarilynKrueger, chair ofNACo's Health Steering Committee, ernments of last resort for health takes questions from Penelope Lemov, senior writer for Governing iuagazine, after the news conference. care, spending $30 billionon health See HEALTHREFORM, next page Subtitle D landfillextension finalized New Yorkstate Hundreds of counties throughout comply with Subtitle D. By Diane S. Shea the nation had written to EPA urg- The rule also: director dies associate legislative director ing final adoption of the extension ~ providesaone-yearextension association rule that had been proposed in June. ofthe effective date ofthe financial Edwin L. Crawford, longtime leader in the movement to modern- EPA has officiallypromulgated (See County News, July 5, 1993, assurance requirements, from April ize and strengthen county government thmughout the country, and the finalrule to delay, forsix months, page 1.) 9, 1994 to April 9, 1995 executive director of the New York State Association of Counties the deadline for compliance with Published in the Federal Regis- ~ requires arid or remote land- (NYSAC)since 1977, died Monday, Sept. 27, in Binghamton, N.Y., Subtitle D landfill regulations. ter on Oct. 1, the new rule provides fills that accept less than 20 tons of cancer. He was 68. School in 1943, additional time for "small" land- per day to monitor for ground Aftergraduating from B in gham ton Central High fills, those accepting less than 100 water contamination, but extends Crawford entered the U S. Army and served in Europe during World I gga (Oo 5 tons ofsolid waste per day, to meet the effective date of their compli- War II. He received the Purple Heart and two battle stars for heroism the minimum federal criteria. ance with Subtitle D until Oct. 9, during the Battle of the Bulge. Upon his discharge from the Army, To be eligible, such sites must 1995, and he entered Cornell University and earned a B.A. degree and a J.D. 0 NACo forms a new accept on average no more than 100 ~ extends the period of time to degree from Cornell Law School. served as presi- public/private partnership tons of waste per day, not be listed install a final cover for landfills While serving as Broome County executive, he was of the New York to examine waste compost- on the Superfund National Priori- opting to close before the relevant dent of NYSAC from 1975-76. He president from 1974-76 and of ing. ties List and be located in a state compliance date to Oct. 9, 1994. State County Executives Association president Executives from 1974-76. See page 3 that has submitted its application to Because states may have earlier the National Council of Elected County EPA for approval of its permit pro- effective dates or other requirements He served as a member ofthe NACo Board ofDirectors from 1970- Register now for gram. To date, all states except beyond the minimum federal stan- 76. 0 In NACo's 22nd Annual Iowa have submitted an applica- dards, counties should consult with Crawford became the executive director of NYSAC in 1977. funds Employment Policy and tion. their state environmental agencies that position, he worked diligently to obtain the legislation and New York to operate Human Services Confer- The new rule also extended the to ascertain whether the extension needed to enable county governments in States have been and productively. ence in San Francisco, Nov. deadline forsix months forlandfilis will be helpful. efficiently 45 Dorothy; four children; 19-22. of all sizes in the Midwest flood provided significant flexibility to He is survived by his wife of years, brothers; and several nieces and See page 6 regions. adjust timetables and waive some five grandchildren; a sister; two This extension is avail able at the requirements. nephews. NACo staff members attending the funeral services, held 0 Don't miss County state's discretion if it determines For more information, contact Sept. 30, were NACo Executive Director Larry Naake, Legislative land- at 202/942-4269. To Director Ralph Tabor and Legislative Assistant Brian Lagana. News 'special report ex plor- that the time is needed for the Diane Shee Main Street Baptist Church, 117 ing the latest in new tech- fill to accept flood-related waste orderacopy oftheFederalRegister Donations can be made to the or to the American Cancer nology and what itwillmean from any of the nine states with notice, contact the RCRA Hotline, Main St., Binghamton, NY 13805, would like to to local governments. federally designated disaster areas. Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-7:30p.m. Society, 57 Front St., Binghamton, NY, 13905. Ifyou her address is: Dorothy See pages 7-14 States may also provide these same EST. The national toll-free number extend your condolences to his widow, landfills with an additional six is 800/424-9346; TDD(forbearing Crawford, 608 Midvale Rd., Vestal, NY 13805. months beyond April 9, 1994, to impaired) is 800/553-7672. County News, October /I, /993 Todcl's Travels N.C. Association of County Commissioners, 100 percent committed (This is the second in a senes on ment, Rockingham, Alamance, counuesfonnnovauvepmblem solv sane associations prepared by NACo Catawba and Orange counties were ing in the areas ofwetlands manage President Barfntra Todd) honored for their achievements for ment, groundwater pmtection inte The state of North Carolina ap- pmgrams relating to the introduction grated solid waste management and pointed allcounty officialsuntil after of an innovative paralegal intern anti-littering. the Civil War and the provision for project, a working prisoners program, Human services category winners county elections in the 1868 state a multi-jurisdictional Geographic include the counties ofCatawba, for constitution. Information System (GIS) program its employee sign language skillspro- Today, residents in each ofNorth and a program of integrated E911/ grams; Wake. for its comprehensive Carolina's 100 counties elect aboard CAD/GIS in emergency services. services for substance abusive preg- ofcounty commissioners, a sheriff, a Recognition in the public aware- nant women and postpartum women register of deeds and a clerk of the nesscategory wasgiventoAlamance, and their chddren; Robeson, for its courL Iredell, New Hanover, McDowell program ofphysicianrecmitmentfor Judges, district attorneys and and Mecklenburg counties. Each the provision of prenatal care to clerks of the court are considered county's program was unique and Medicaid-eligible women; Cabarrus, state officials as the General Assem- effective. for its pro-active initiative of ensur- bly consolidated all county courts Topics addressed included: de- ing child support by assisting fathers into a statewide court system. to find necessaty job skills training and NACo President Barbara Todd addresses North Carolina county velopment of public awareness of Although the boards of county the importance of the county's agri- subsequent employment; and Davie, commissioners have re- officials at the Annual Conference of the North Carolina Association the general cultural history; an information re- foritsprenatal education/incentivepm- of County Commissioners in Durham County, N.C. To her left is sponsibility of county government, ferral system which provides a coor- gtam for low-income residents. must develop- North Carolina Association First Vice President Betty Lou Ward they share their policy dination mechanism for public and The leaders of NCACC are opti- with consti- from Wake County. ment authority the other private agencies involved in the pro- mistic about the future of county tutionally elected county officials, government in their state. Clearly policy. County leaders have been ing and educational initiative co- vision of assistance and social ser- and must also approve the budgets of they have forged positive working consistent in their opposition to un- sponsored by the state association vice programs; amulti-jurisdictional independent boards, relationships with state leaders, as funded mandates. As a result, the and Chapel Hill awarenesscampaign forelectedoffi- The independent boards have au- evidenced by the presence of most governor has established a Partner- cials initiated by the county health thority to establish policy relating to major state officialsduring the coun- ship Council which is charged with Outstanding county department; theproductionofavideo education, alcoholic beverage con- ties'nnual conference.
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