By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
GREAT VALLEY — Members of the Cattaraugus County Supervisors Association heard Thursday from the state Motor Vehicle commissioner and representatives of the governor and state comptroller.
Motor Vehicle Commissioner Mark Schroeder promoted initiatives in Gov. Kathy Hochul’s $263 billion budget for 2026 including affordability, bringing down auto insurance rates and housing.
The state is facing a $10 billion loss in federal funding in this budget, but Hochul’s pro-growth agenda has produced $17 billion in increased revenue over two years, Schroeder pointed out.
The governor had also increased the state’s Aid and Incentives to Municipalities (AIM), Schroeder told the supervisors. Municipalities will receive three times what they received under the 2025 AIM awards.
In addition, Schroeder said, “It looks like we’ll have an on time budget this year.” Schroeder was a long time assemblyman and Buffalo comptroller before he was named DMV commissioner in January 2019. He has announced plans to retire at the end of April.
Schroeder also said the governor gets good support from the public for her proposal for auto insurance reforms.
Asked by Ashford Supervisor John Pfeiffer what the state planned to do to bring down the skyrocketing cost of utilities, Schroeder said the governor understands the impact of rising home energy prices.
The state has “to work with others on what we can control,” Schroeder said. “There are major problems to figure out.”
One of the big problems stems from the amount of liquid natural gas (LNG) being exported, Schroeder indicated. He said his own energy prices “have never been this high.”
Great Valley Supervisor Dan Brown agreed that LNG exports were driving up costs to consumers in this country.
In his remarks, Timothy Perfetti, the Southern Tier regional representative of Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, discussed state pension issues, the Office of Unclaimed Funds and the comptroller’s municipal budget and policy analysis.
Perfetti urged the supervisors to call his office with any budget, pension or other financial questions.
Frank Puglisi, the governor’s regional representative, urged the supervisors not to overlook the benefits of being a “Pro Housing Community” when it comes to New York Forward, DRI or other state grants.
It sets a target for the municipality of a 1 percent increase in housing — any housing — over three years, Puglisi said.
It does not have to be low-income housing. In most communities, a couple of building permits would take care of that. Municipalities do not need to change their laws, nor will they be penalized if the goal is not met.
In addition, the added housing may be eligible for grants to extend utilities like water and sewer.
The supervisors also held a reorganizational meeting, electing Katie Campbell of Franklinville the new chairman and Chris McPhearson of Allegany as deputy chairman. Also, Dan Martonis of Napoli was named treasurer and Margo Pearl of Humphrey secretary.
