IDA REFORM

The legislature is also working on rewriting the law governing the state’s industrial development agencies, which can offer incentives to businesses.

“We didn’t do anything with the IDAs,” Sayward said. “Hopefully, we can work on that before we go back in July.”

Sayward said there may be problems with that bill because its restrictions include not building on properties without municipal sewer and water or on which a zoning variance is needed.

That would severely limit an IDA’s role in rural areas like northern New York, she said.

HEATING PAYMENTS

Sayward said she was invited to a meeting last week with Gov. David Paterson and other legislators.

“The governor asked for suggestions. My suggestion was there’s an awful lot of capital project money left; send it to the counties as a safety net (fund) for home-heating fuel.”

Agencies in Clinton County have considered housing people who can’t afford to heat their homes this winter, she said.

“We have people calling who say they’re going to close their house down and move in with someone else this winter. This is serious.”

Supervisor Ronald Jackson (R-Essex) said it would help if the income ceiling for Home Energy Assistance Program aid were raised.

“I see the safety net (plan) as something that’s different than HEAP, with different qualifications,” Sayward said.

The federal HEAP program distributed $3 billion in heating aid last winter. Some indicators are that heating fuel may be $5 to $6 a gallon this winter.

“There are so many people who are going to be so desperate,” Supervisor Joyce Morency (R-St. Armand) said.