
Dear Putnam County Business Community,
In his first-ever State of the County address, Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne looked inward and provided a clear vision of what he believes good government should look like. Over the course of the address, he received lots of positive feedback and applause from those in attendance as he repeatedly underscored the relentlessness of his administration’s search for increased accountability, accessibility and transparency in its operation.
He also looked outward and commented on the County’s on-going and sometimes “bumpy” dialogue with New York State (NYS). As a former State Assemblyman, Byrne has experience working with NYS officials so it was with all seriousness and purpose that he lashed out at certain of Governor Hochul’s recent proposals stating that “Devastating policies are emerging from this year’s state budget process, and it is imperative that we ask you to push back on the Governor’s overreach to override local zoning and decision making, as well as her plan to divert federal Medicaid dollars from those most vulnerable in our community.”
Details of the Governor’s proposal to divert federal Medicaid dollars were revealed in her 2024 Executive Budget Proposal, in which she seeks to restructure the method by which Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Program (eFMAP) dollars are shared with localities. If enacted, this would be a significant break from a 20-year history of sharing federal Medicaid dollars with the counties and threaten to cut off hundreds of millions of dollars across New York. In most other states, social safety net services are paid for entirely by federal and state governments. In New York, state mandates associated with the Medicaid program exceed federal mandates, increasing costs of services administered and paid for, in part, by local property tax dollars. Changing the federal Medicaid formula would increase this burden, forcing counties across the state to find other sources of revenue, including property tax increases, or cuts to “non-essential” services, to fund these programs.
Byrne has on previous occasions urged Putnam County’s state legislators to join with county leaders in opposition to this proposal and stated that he looks forward to working with his former colleagues to propose a new budget plan. Prior to serving as Putnam County Executive, Byrne was the ranking member of the Assembly’s Health Committee, a member of the Way & Means Committee and member of New York State’s Council on Health Care Financing.
County Executive Byrne issued a clear call to action in his State of the County Address and as a strong voice for the interests of the business and non-profit community, the Putnam County Business Council will be assisting the County Executive’s Office in urging Governor Hochul not to divert federal Medicaid money away those that need it most.
Nat Prentice
President, Putnam County Business Council

Letter to Governor Hochul About Diverting Medicaid Dollars
The letter opposing the Governor’s proposal can be found here.
Nat Prentice
President, Putnam County Business Council

Wednesday, March 22nd, 1pm ET
In this session, we’ll discuss what it takes to get started with Google Ads.
During this webinar, we will cover:
- Various types of Google Ads
- What ad types are good for what types of businesses
- Resources to help you get started
- And more



The year 2023 is shaping up to be a promising one – with new ambitious board members joining the team and helping take their organization into exciting, uncharted territory!
We have updated our Leadership board with new additions and changes in roles. As we continue to grow and evolve as a business community, it is important to have a board that reflects our values, vision, and mission.




Promenade on 6 is a small business hub set in an industrial, modern contemporary space proudly showcasing fashion, health, wellness, and beauty services as well as artisanal consignments, snacks, coffee as well as food & beverage delights—all conveniently located in one place with the perfect atmosphere plus a relaxing reading lounge to enhance your experience!
747 sq ft available includes shared kitchen, restrooms, and event/popup space.
Perfect for Blow Out Bar, Salon, Barber, Tattoo, Gallery, Studio, and Retail and office…… inquire via jenn@grit-assist.com
Promenadeon6.com, where confident, collaborative, and forward-thinking small businesses come to thrive!

New York is one of the nation’s most prolific purveyors of corporate subsidies, handing out some $10 billion annually between the state and localities. The list of recipients is a who’s who of the largest, most dominant corporations on Earth: Amazon, Tesla, IBM, Micron, Uber. All that money, though, has purchased very little

Delve into the essential information you need to know to stay relevant.

Regional Union Information Event
Have you been searching for training opportunities in the trades? Look no further! Attached is an informational flyer that could be just what you need to get started. Don’t miss out on this great chance to expand your knowledge and skillset – check it out now!
For further information, contact: DLividini@pnwboces.org
March 23, 2023 | 6:00 – 9:00 pm


New York Releases 2023 Unemployment Insurance Tax Rates
Total tax rates for employers in 2023 range from 2.1% to 9.9% The total tax rate for new employers is 4.1% New York Unemployment Insurance (Bloomberg Tax subscription) New York announced its 2023 unemployment insurance tax rates on the state labor department website on Feb. 17.
NY state lawmakers protest proposed tax hike
A group of New York lawmakers from outside the city aren’t happy with a piece of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposed $1.3 billion bailout plan for the MTA. The governor is seeking $800 million annually by hiking the payroll mobility tax. The lawmakers believe their constituents shouldn’t have to foot the bill.
Higher MTA tax? NY senators seek to protect suburban employers from Hochul’s proposal
A group of senators is seeking to shield Hudson Valley and Long Island employers from a proposed increase in the payroll tax they pay to support the financially strapped Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Gov.
Workers’ true pay could keep falling under Hochul’s minimum-wage plan, study finds
The $12.48 “real wage” by 2026 is thus a “best-case scenario” that relies on inflation projections from Hochul’s administration-which all fall below the 3% cap, Perry said. If inflation exceeds that number in any ensuing year, the value of workers’ wages would fall even lower.

From the Founding Chairwoman, Jennifer Maher
It’s not always easy to abandon tradition, but the times are changing more rapidly than ever, and change can be necessary for growth and survival.
You can start by identifying outdated practices by examining your industry and looking internally at your customs that once made sense but now could be irrelevant.


