Dear Friends,

It’s my great privilege to serve as Chairman of the Legislative Commission on Rural Resources, and I’m pleased to have this opportunity to share a brief overview of the Commission’s work, as well as to provide online editions of some of the Commission’s most popular publications, including Rural Futures, a newsletter on rural affairs throughout New York State and nationally.

Consisting of 10 members of the New York State Senate and Assembly, the Legislative Commission on Rural Resources is a joint, bipartisan agency seeking to increase the sensitivity of state government to the unique needs of citizens in rural areas.

Rural New York’s population of 3.5 million people is relatively small and dispersed compared to the state’s urban population of 15.5 million. Moreover, because the state’s population is concentrated in urban areas, only 31 of the 212 members of the state Legislature are from rural regions.

The Commission on Rural Resources assists the members of the Legislature in recognizing the importance of rural resources to the overall prosperity and well-being of the Empire State, as well as in identifying and developing legislation, programs and services to strengthen rural New York and to address the concerns and needs that stem from its sparsity of population and relatively scarce financial resources. Below are online editions of many of the Commission's publications:

 

 

> RURAL FUTURES NEWSLETTER (JULY/AUGUST 2008)

> POLICY ALTERNATIVES SUPPORTING DEPLOYMENT OF BROADBAND SERVICES IN RURAL AREAS

> STUDY OF RURAL CUSTOMER ACCESS TO ADVANCED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES

> ACTIONS TO REVITALIZE RURAL NEW YORK THROUGH AN ENHANCED EMPIRE ZONE PROGRAM

> 2006 & 2007 RURAL EDUCATION MINI GRANTS

> NEW YORK'S TIMBER TRESPASS LAWS

> MAP OF POPULATION CHANGES IN NEW YORK COUNTIES 2000-2006

> DIGEST OF NEW YORK'S AGRICULTURE AND FOREST-RELATED TAX ABATEMENT LAWS (UPDATED)

> A VISION FOR RURAL NEW YORK

> PROMOTING THE TRAINING OF MUNICIPAL PLANNING AND ZONING OFFICIALS FACT SHEET

> A MODEL LOCAL RESOLUTION

> A MODEL LOCAL LAW

> LAND USE PLANNING AND REGULATIONS

> PROMOTING INTERMUNICIPAL COOPERATION FOR SHARED HIGHWAY SERVICES

[NOTE: Additional publications and reports of interest can be found on the New York State Senate web site].

As always, if you ever have any questions, need additional information or a copy of any of the Commission’s publications, or would simply like to share a suggestion or opinion on the work of the Legislative Commission on Rural Resources, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Click below on CONTACT INFO, or you may also contact the Commission by e-mail directly at: ruralres@senate.state.ny.us. The Commission may also be contacted by calling (518) 455-2544.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

George H. Winner, Jr.
Chairman, Legislative Commission on Rural Resources