New York State Office of Rural Affairs State Agency Advocacy and Regulatory Review Files

Arranged roughly by agency.

The series consists of a wide range of records documenting interaction among the Office of Rural Affairs and other state agencies, including the governor's office. Two of the office's major areas of responsibility which are especially well documented are advocating and coordinating rural interests within state government; and reviewing proposed rules, including utility rates and regulations submitted to the Public Service Commission, to monitor their effects upon rural areas.

Records include correspondence and memoranda of the director and other staff of the office, reports, minutes, and drafts of proposed regulations. Important topics covered include proposed time-of-use utility charges, demand side management initiatives promoted by the Public Service Commission, proposed electric rate, power, transmission, and service plans, and the office's work with various state agencies, including the Energy Office, Adirondack Park Agency, Environmental Conservation, Transportation, and others on a variety of rural issues.

Significant records include: correspondence, reports and minutes of the office's participation on a Department of Economic Development-sponsored task force on the concerns of small businesses in New York; material on work with the Department of Health's Consumer Health Information Council to ensure rural interests were met; material on work with governor's task forces examining concerns of rural communities, including mandate relief, forest industries, and area development; and material on work with the Division of Housing and Community Development on a comprehensive housing affordibility strategy.

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.