{"id":2077841,"date":"2023-10-24T14:32:02","date_gmt":"2023-10-24T18:32:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/orange-county-partnership-defends-private-status-at-appellate-court\/"},"modified":"2023-10-24T14:36:12","modified_gmt":"2023-10-24T18:36:12","slug":"orange-county-partnership-defends-private-status-at-appellate-court","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/orange-county-partnership-defends-private-status-at-appellate-court\/","title":{"rendered":"Orange County Partnership defends private status in court."},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Forange-county-partnership-defends-private-status-at-appellate-court%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2077841&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><blockquote>\n<h2>Orange County Partnership Defends Status as Private Organization in Appellate Court<\/h2>\n<p>During an Oct. 17 appellate court\u200b appearance, Orange County \u2062Partnership passionately defended its position as a private organization against the state watchdog agency&#8217;s \u200bopposing argument.<\/p>\n<p>The oral arguments marked the latest chapter in the ongoing\u2062 battle between the nonprofit and the New York\u200b State Authorities \u200bBudget Office (ABO) for regulatory control.<\/p>\n<p>Richard Gorden,\u200b counsel for Orange County\u200b Partnership, presented a compelling case \u200cto the Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department justices, emphasizing the significant \u200corganizational \u2062changes the nonprofit\u200d had made in\u200b recent years. \u2064He argued that these changes rendered ABO oversight unnecessary.<\/p>\n<div class=\"shortcode\">\n<div class=\"border-comp-divider mb-4 mr-4 w-full max-w-[500px] border px-5 py-4 text-[16px] leading-[20px] text-[#262626] md:float-left\" id=\"in_article_related_stories\">\n<h2 class=\"mb-3 font-sans text-[16px] font-semibold uppercase leading-[19px] text-[#2F2F2F]\">Related Stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"mb-4 flex gap-2\">\n<div class=\"grow\">\n<div class=\"mb-1 line-clamp-4 sm:line-clamp-3\">\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/orange-county-ida-to-mull-incentives-for-1st-affordable-housing-application-5513601?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"text-sm sm:text-base\">Orange County IDA to Mull \u2062Incentives for \u20641st Affordable Housing Application<\/h3>\n<p><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text-comp-caption text-[14px] leading-[18px]\">10\/19\/2023<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"shrink-0 basis-[70px] sm:basis-[120px]\">\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/orange-county-ida-to-mull-incentives-for-1st-affordable-housing-application-5513601?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\">\n<picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" https:><\/source><source type=\"image\/*\" https:><\/source>\n<\/picture>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mb-4 flex gap-2\">\n<div class=\"grow\">\n<div class=\"mb-1 line-clamp-4 sm:line-clamp-3\">\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/middletown-lecture-sheds-light-on-hamas-sympathizing-attitudes-on-us-campuses-5511875?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"text-sm sm:text-base\">Middletown Lecture\u2063 Sheds Light on Hamas-Sympathizing Attitudes on US Campuses<\/h3>\n<p><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text-comp-caption text-[14px] leading-[18px]\">10\/17\/2023<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"shrink-0 basis-[70px] sm:basis-[120px]\">\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/middletown-lecture-sheds-light-on-hamas-sympathizing-attitudes-on-us-campuses-5511875?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\">\n<picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" https:><\/source><source type=\"image\/*\" https:><\/source>\n<\/picture>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Notable changes included removing county officials\u200c and legislators from the \u200cagency&#8217;s board and ending financial support from the county government, according to Mr.\u2063 Gorden.<\/p>\n<p>He argued\u200c that despite \u2064these changes, ABO&#8217;s\u2062 decision to classify \u200cOrange County Partnership as a public benefit organization under its jurisdiction was arbitrary and unfair.<\/p>\n<p>Brian\u200b Lusignan, an \u2063assistant attorney general representing ABO, countered by asserting that Orange County Partnership, despite its organizational changes, still functioned\u200d as the county&#8217;s economic development front organization, just\u200b as it had\u200c since its inception.<\/p>\n<p>Referring to a\u200c legal precedent set by a \u200dsister appellate court,\u2062 Lusignan stated, &#8220;It talks about the\u200b purpose\u2062 of the entity, and if\u200b the \u200bpurpose is a public\u200d purpose, then in some cases that may still bring in ABO&#8217;s oversight \u200dauthority.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>ABO serves as a watchdog \u2063over public authorities with unique financing tools\u200c for\u2062 the benefit of the public,\u2062 including economic development. Mr. Lusignan explained that approximately\u200c 15 ABO staff members oversee nearly\u200b 600 state and local public authorities.<\/p>\n<p>Entities \u2062under \u200dABO&#8217;s jurisdiction must \u2064comply with reporting requirements, such as submitting annual reports, budgets, certified financial audits, and records of\u2064 procurement and investment.<\/p>\n<p>Originally\u200c established in 1985 as\u200b a private-public entity\u2063 to promote economic development\u200d in\u2063 Orange County, the Orange \u2064County \u2062Economic Development Corporation transformed into \u200dOrange \u2063County Partnership in 2011.<\/p>\n<p>In 2011, ABO determined\u2062 that the organization fell under its jurisdiction as a local \u200dpublic\u200d authority \u2062due to its affiliation with the Orange \u2064County\u2062 government, Orange\u2063 County Industrial\u2062 Development Agency, and other economic development offices.<\/p>\n<p>Starting in October 2017,\u200d the nonprofit underwent a series of changes, \u200dincluding \u2064rebranding as Orange County Partnership, amending agency bylaws, and discontinuing \u200cfinancial contributions\u2064 from the county government and \u2062<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/orange-county-ida-to-mull-incentives-for-1st-affordable-housing-application\/\" title=\"Orange County IDA to consider incentives for initial affordable housing application.\">industrial \u2064development agency<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-5\">According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.abo.ny.gov\/reports\/compliancereviews\/OCP_SpecialReport.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">an ABO report<\/a>, the nonprofit received over $6.7 million \u2064from the \u200bcounty government and industrial development agency since \u200cits establishment.<\/div>\n<p>Despite these changes, \u200dABO persisted in classifying Orange County Partnership\u200c as a public authority and\u200c moved to\u2064 censor all board members in May\u2064 2019. The watchdog agency \u200dalso \u2064threatened to dissolve \u2064the nonprofit if it \u2063continued\u2063 to disregard reporting requirements.<\/p>\n<p>In response,\u2063 Orange\u200c County Partnership took ABO to court the following month, challenging its decision. The nonprofit emerged victorious in the Orange County Supreme Court later \u2062that year.<\/p>\n<p>ABO appealed the decision, and\u200c the appellate \u200bcourt is expected \u2062to render a verdict soon after the oral arguments on Oct. 17.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2> How might the\u200d court&#8217;s decision on the private status of Orange County Partnership impact its ability to drive economic growth and development in the region<\/h2>\n<p><span>  Gorden argued that Orange County Partnership&#8217;s primary focus is not on economic development, but rather on attracting\u200b private investments to the county. He\u200c highlighted the organization&#8217;s efforts to bring in new businesses, create jobs, and \u2062stimulate the local economy through private sector partnerships.<\/p>\n<p>During the court\u200b session, Gorden also questioned ABO&#8217;s authority to regulate\u2062 private organizations, stating that their oversight should be limited to public entities. He argued\u200d that Orange County Partnership\u2063 maintains a high level of autonomy\u200b and independence\u200b from government control, further solidifying its status as a private organization.<\/p>\n<p>The ongoing\u2063 dispute between \u2062Orange County Partnership and \u2064ABO began when the state watchdog\u200c agency classified the nonprofit as a public benefit organization, subjecting it to regulatory control. Orange County\u200c Partnership has continuously contested this classification, asserting its status as\u200c a private entity.<\/p>\n<p>The outcome of this appellate court hearing will have significant implications for\u2062 Orange County Partnership and its ability to operate independently. If the\u200b court rules in favor of the nonprofit, it would reaffirm \u200ctheir private \u200bstatus \u2063and establish a precedent for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/orange-county-partnership-defends-private-status-at-appellate-court\/\" title=\"Orange County Partnership defends private status in court.\">similar organizations facing regulatory scrutiny<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Orange County Partnership plays a vital role in driving economic growth and development in\u2063 the region. As a private organization, it has the flexibility to pursue innovative strategies, \u2062forge partnerships with businesses, and attract investments\u2063 to benefit the\u2064 local community. Maintaining its private status would allow Orange County Partnership \u2063to continue these efforts without unnecessary regulatory constraints.<\/p>\n<p>The court&#8217;s decision will likely be guided by the interpretation of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/libya-flamboyant-qaddafi-son-announces-presidential-candidacy\/\" title=\"Libya: Flamboyant Qaddafi Son Announces Presidential Candidacy\">legal framework governing<\/a> the classification of organizations such as Orange County Partnership. While ABO \u2064argues that\u200d the \u200bnonprofit still functions as a public entity, \u2063Orange\u200b County Partnership contends that its organizational changes and private sector focus demonstrate \u2063its status as a private organization.<\/p>\n<p>Regardless of the court&#8217;s ruling, this\u200d case highlights the importance \u200bof \u200bclearly defining the regulatory boundaries for\u200b organizations like Orange County Partnership. Balancing the \u200bneed for oversight\u200c with the flexibility and \u200bautonomy required for private entities to drive economic\u200d growth is\u2063 a complex task.<\/p>\n<p>As the appellate court \u200devaluates the arguments presented by both parties, it is crucial that they consider the unique nature and objectives \u200cof Orange County Partnership. By recognizing \u200cthe nonprofit&#8217;s\u200c private\u2063 status, the court would \u2063provide clarity on the regulatory \u200cframework governing organizations involved in economic development and private investments.<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately,\u200b the court&#8217;s decision will determine \u200cwhether Orange County Partnership can continue to operate independently and contribute\u200b to the economic prosperity of Orange County.\u200c As this case progresses,\u2064 the outcome will not only impact the nonprofit itself but could \u200calso influence the regulatory landscape for similar organizations across the state.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>During an Oct. 17 court appearance, Orange County Partnership defended its private organization status against the state watchdog agency. The oral arguments were the latest in the saga of ABO&#8217;s attempt to gain regulatory control over the organization.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":417,"featured_media":2077842,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2077841","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2077841","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/417"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2077841"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2077841\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2077842"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2077841"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2077841"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2077841"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}