Latimer, Otis Solicit Local Home Rule Legislation

The content below was submitted by the office of George Latimer.

Newly elected state legislators George Latimer and Steve Otis are getting off to a fast start for the upcoming 2013 Legislative Session by asking local governments within their districts if they have local Home Rule bills they are seeking to have passed by the State.

"There are issues large and small, important to a city, town or village government, that requires the New York State Legislature and the governor to approve," Senator-elect Latimer stated. "We want these proposals to be drafted and submitted early in the year, to give us the best possible chance to deliver for our communities what they've asked for".

Assemblyman-elect Otis commented, “Meeting the needs of local communities is a very important part our job. We are eager to do everything we can to help municipalities with state legislation that they require.”

In the past, Home Rule bills have covered a wide variety of topics. In their current posts, Latimer, an outgoing Assemblyman, and Otis, chief counsel to outgoing Senator Suzi Oppenheimer, have been directly involved in successful local bills that included the passage of hotel occupancy revenues for Rye City, New Rochelle and Rye Brook; adding a third judge in Port Chester, and the elimination of out-of-date Port Chester local authorities; authority to establish residential parking in a section of Mamaroneck Town; conveyance of the Bellantoni Center in New Rochelle to the New Rochelle YMCA; a new governance plan for the Port Chester-Rye Brook Library, and much more.

In their joint statement, Latimer and Otis noted that "Passing Home Rule Bills are neither easy nor automatic. We want to begin the hard work right away, so we have the best possible chance for success."

The two legislators sent letters to the communities that both jointly represent: the Villages of Larchmont, Mamaroneck, Port Chester and Rye Brook; Mamaroneck Town, Rye Town and Rye City governments.

Latimer and Otis co-represent the City of New Rochelle along with State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assemblywoman Amy Paulin. Both men have served on the Rye City Council; Otis is a former mayor; Latimer is a former Westchester County Legislator and past chairman of the Board of Legislators, and both have been directly involved in advancing local government issues.