A group of Westchester County Legislators and officials traveled to Albany Thursday  to deliver, in person, the County's 2010 Joint State Legislative Package to lawmakers in Albany. Legislator Michael Kaplowitz (D-Somers) was joined by fellow legislator Bill Burton (D-Ossining) and the County Executive's Chief of Staff, George Oros.

Burton said, "The purpose of this annual effort is to present our State Legislators with a focused list of legislative priorities from both the Legislative and Executive branches of County Government."

Kaplowitz, a Certified Financial Planner said, "Given the current fiscal climate, we are asking that the State's budget actions reflect our top three budgetary priorities so that this year's state budget does not further exacerbate the local property tax situation."

This year's package included three requests:

1. A complete repeal of the MTA Payroll Tax
2. Allow Electronic Court Appearances and remove the defendants' ability to opt out
3. Relieve counties of the financial burden regarding Early Intervention and Pre-K programs, which the State currently mandates, but forces the county to finance.

Said Kaplowitz, "Westchester will continue to oppose any budgetary actions that shift costs of state programs to county or local governments."