NY Exec L § 480 (2021)
2021 New York Laws EXC - Executive Article 19-F - Rural Affairs Act 480 - Declaration of Purpose.

§ 480. Declaration  of  purpose.  The legislature finds and determines   that:1. The public  perception  of  the  state's  rural  regions  has  been   characterized  by  inaccurate awareness or understanding; therefore many   existing laws, regulations, policies and programs  have  not  completely   addressed  the  real  needs  of  people  living within the state's rural   environs.2. The state's rural territory is vast in size, exceptionally diverse,   possesses abundant natural and cultural resources,  and,  together  with   its  economic, human and community resources, contributes greatly to the   quality and maintenance of life of all people of the state, and hence to   a healthier, more prosperous state.3. The  state's  rural  areas  are  decentralized  and  unique;  their   enhancement  and  protection  require  special  attention  in  order  to   effectively address distinct rural conditions, needs, and strengths.4. Improvement in the well-being of individuals and  families  in  the   state's  rural  areas  has,  in  many  instances,  been  unbalanced, and   characterized  by  a  growing  inequality   or   relative   deprivation.   Additionally,  such  indispensable  community  needs  as transportation;   housing;  public  facilities;  business  and  industry;  education   and   culture;  governmental  and  environmental  management; health and human   services; require further study and state action if proper responses  to   unique rural needs are to be developed.5.  The  state  has  demonstrated  sensitivity  to  the needs of rural   localities and has attempted to preserve the viability  and  quality  of   life  in  rural  areas.    Such  commitments  to  rural preservation and   development have to be continued and broadened to encompass a wide range   of rural endeavors.6. Federal, state, and local resources and individual effort available   to address rural needs are often  isolated  and  limited  to  individual   symptoms  of  blight  and deterioration. Related programs are frequently   inaccessible  to  rural  residents  they  are  designed  to  serve.  The   placement  of such programs within the various organizational structures   is indistinct and many  rural  localities  have  inadequate  numbers  of   managerial,   professional   or   technical  personnel  to  pursue  such   assistance.  Additionally, many public and private  agencies  also  lack   adequate  staffing  to  adapt programs and services to the special needs   and requirements of rural citizens and their  environs.  This  situation   has  contributed  to  a  growing confusion and disintegrating force that   discourages coordinated individual policy and  program  development  and   delivery  of  services intended to address the needs of rural localities   and citizens. Consequently, the  energies  and  resources  of  the  many   individual federal, state, and local, and public and private initiatives   that  could  help  answer rural needs and capitalize on the strengths of   rural areas, are often frustrated or diminished in their effect.7. An important role and challenge for state government, therefore, is   to get diverse groups to work together for the betterment of  rural  New   York,  and  to combine their efforts in imaginative ways to the end that   all regions of the state may always offer the highest  possible  quality   of  life, cultural and material standards of living, without sacrificing   individual freedom or responsibility. The legislature believes that such   individual efforts  can  be  significantly  enhanced,  and  support  and   sustain  each  other  in  the  public  interest;  and  many  useful  and   innovative responses to rural needs will be possible, if a more  focused   and coordinated interdisciplinary approach for addressing rural problems   and opportunities is made available through state government.8.  The  development of proper responses to rural needs, including the   capability to anticipate and respond to  individual  needs  on  a  broad    scale,  would  also  be promoted if a more sharply defined rural affairs   avenue within state  government  was  made  available  to  policymakers.   Specifically,  the  legislature seeks to amplify the efforts of existing   agencies  and  individuals who are interested in such rural policy areas   as human services and community life; health care; education;  business,   economic  development,  and  employment;  agriculture; environment, land   use,  and  natural  resources;  transportation;  community   facilities,   housing, and community revitalization; local government and management.9.  No permanent state agency has been specifically created, empowered   and funded to promote, harmonize or  assist  such  efforts  of  existing   agencies  and individuals that address the unique needs, conditions, and   strengths of rural areas of the state. It is, therefore, the  intent  of   the  legislature  to  create a state office of rural affairs. The agency   shall serve as a one-stop contact point for rural  governments,  service   providers, state and federal agencies, and for individuals interested in   rural  policies  and  programs  of  the  state;  and  strive  to promote   cooperative and integrated efforts among such agencies and programs that   are designed to address rural needs; and shall recommend to the governor   and the legislature the suitable use of policies,  programs,  long-range   plans, laws and regulatory mechanisms in order to meet such needs.