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Calls for Albany County downsizing

Jan 02, 2015 10:58 am
Lately there have been calls to shrink the size of the legislature in Albany County, which is the largest county legislature in the state, with 39 representatives. Now, Jordan Carleo-Evangelist reports in The Albany Times-Union, one state representative is proposing further downsizing. Assemblyman Phil Steck (D-Colonie) would also like to eliminate the county executive position. "The idea that you have to have a completely separate legislature and executive was developed for much larger units of government, like the state and federal government, and I'm not sure how well it's working in Albany County," Steck said. "The question is, how are we going to get in the point in Albany County when the County Legislature and the executive work in tandem. At least in my time, that has not occurred. And I will say this: A lot has to do with personalities." Legislators are currently considering cutting the body to 29 seats. Read the full story in The Albany Times-Union.