Roger Hannigan Gilson is reporting in the Register-Star legislation that would require the state to reimburse counties for the cost of public defenders remains on Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s desk. Columbia and Greene counties combined spend $1.15 million on legal services for indigent residents every year, and that sum is expected to increase. A sponsor of the bill, Assembly member Pete Lopez, does not have much hope the bill will be signed. Referring to tensions between the Legislature and the governor's office, Lopez said, "No one’s getting along right now." The measure was passed by the Assembly and Senate in June. If signed into law, the law would transfer the costs to the state over a seven-year period. The bill would help counties stay under the tax cap by taking away some of their financial obligations, Lopez said. Columbia County Public Defender Robert Linville a supporter of the legislation, said he was concerned Cuomo would let the year run out without signing the bill, allowing it to die on his desk. Read the full story in the Register-Star.