Five days for quarreling senators to pass key legislation

By By JOLEEN FERRIS

Story Created: Jun 25, 2009 at 1:46 PM EDT

Story Updated: Jun 25, 2009 at 7:14 PM EDT

(WKTV) - While Republican and Democratic senators continue to point fingers at each other and refuse to work together, bills that will affect millions of New Yorkers await their signatures. Plus time is quickly running out.

In just five days, these programs could expire, bringing disappointment and possibly devastation to everyone and everything from businesses and not-for-profits to home buyers and county governments.

The senate is going to give it another go at 3:00 Thursday afternoon but whether or not the senate Republicans and Democrats do anything but verbally attack and point fingers at each other as has been the case up to now, remains to be seen.

Oneida County is one of only about 8 counties awaiting their sales tax extender from the Senate; without that one and three quarter percent that's up for renewal, the county loses around $44 million a year in sales tax revenue.

The power for jobs is up for renewal; businesses and not for profits all over the state take advantage of this program for reduced utility costs.

We did learn today that the $7,000 dollar home buyers tax credit is all but dead. It is not on a short list of bills awaiting senate signatures.

Power for jobs and tax extenders expire on Tuesday June 30th.
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