Highlights of the 1/6/26 Tompkins County Legislature meeting
Published on January 08, 2026
The legislature’s first meeting of the year reflected significant changes in its size, composition, and leadership. As a result of redistricting, the number of legislators increased from 14 to 16. Eight returning members and eight newly elected members were sworn into office. Legislator Black was elected Chair, and Legislator Dawson was elected Vice Chair. Legislator Sigler was also nominated for Chair and received three votes from Legislators Brown, Shurtleff, and Sigler.
In her initial remarks, Chair Black expressed gratitude for the nomination, support from colleagues, and the patience and encouragement of her family after eight years of service. Black acknowledged the start of a new legislative year and emphasized collaboration, service, and the renewed energy that comes from combining fresh perspectives with experienced leadership.
“Our county’s greatest strength remains our people, the staff who carry out the mission of this legislature and the residents we are honored to serve,” Chair Black stated. “This year, my focus will continue to center on county staff, community well-being, and our collective ability to move forward with intention.”
Addressing broader challenges, the Chair noted concerns about federal cuts to essential public benefits and their real-life impacts on families and communities. While acknowledging limited control over federal decisions, Black stressed the county’s responsibility to respond locally with stability, creativity, and resolve. The remarks concluded with confidence in the legislature’s ability to lead with integrity and a call to move forward together in service.
Vice Chair Dawson outlined her focus for the year as supporting, guiding, and integrating the eight new legislators. “I’m very excited to work with each and every one of you,” Dawson said. “I have rarely worked in a group that brought such a wealth and diversity of generational perspectives, education, and life experience. I’m sure that our legislature and our county will be much richer for all of that.”
The 2026 meeting schedule was approved, and the July 7 meeting was removed.
The new districts and their representatives are as follows:
- District 1: Legislator Travis Brooks (D-Ithaca City, Town)
- District 2: Legislator Veronica Pillar (D-Ithaca City)
- District 3: Legislator Iris Packman (D-Ithaca City)
- District 4: Legislator Adam Vinson (D-Ithaca City)
- District 5: Legislator Judith Hubbard (D-Ithaca City, Town)
- District 6: Legislator Shawna Black (D-Ithaca Town)
- District 7: Legislator Deborah Dawson (D-Lansing, Ithaca Town)
- District 8: Legislator Michael Sigler (R-Lansing)
- District 9: Legislator Lee Shurtleff (R-Groton, Dryden)
- District 10: Legislator Dan Wakeman (D-Dryden)
- District 11: Legislator Greg Mezey (D-Dryden)
- District 12: Legislator John Hunt (D-Ithaca Town)
- District 13: Legislator Irene Weiser (D-Caroline, Danby)
- District 14: Legislator Christy Bianconi (D-Ithaca Town)
- District 15: Legislator Randy Brown (R-Newfield, Enfield)
- District 16: Legislator Rachel Ostlund (D-Ulysses, Enfield)
Other business
The Tompkins County Legislature unanimously approved the Resolution Affirming the Right of Workers to Unionize, expressing support for Cayuga United-CWA and Cayuga Medical Center Nurses in their efforts to unionize for fair wages, benefits, and safe working conditions.
Community members filled the Legislative Chambers, and dozens of individuals spoke in strong support of the resolution affirming nurses’ right to unionize at Cayuga Medical Center, with speakers emphasizing that nurses are essential to patient safety and community health. Commenters described chronic understaffing, unsafe patient ratios, long shifts, and inadequate resources, linking these conditions directly to risks for both nurses and patients. Unionization was consistently framed as a necessary means for nurses to gain a voice in staffing, safety, and workplace decision-making. Overall, speakers stressed that supporting nurses strengthens healthcare quality and safeguards the well-being of the entire community that relies on the hospital.
“Every one of us in this room has been touched in some way by the nurses at this hospital, the only hospital in our county of over 100,000 people,” Legislator Packman (D-Ithaca City) pointed out. “Study after study shows that when nurses organize, patient outcomes improve. We want the nurses to know that the community is behind them.”
“What I heard tonight was a request for a fair shot at a vote, free from intimidation,” Legislator Sigler (R-Lansing) commented. “Our rural hospitals are struggling, but that burden should not be placed on the backs of nurses or staff.”
“Unionization gives workers the tools to advocate not just for themselves, but for their patients,” Legislator Bianconi (D-Ithaca Town) said. “This resolution affirms our county’s commitment to both our healthcare workforce and the quality of care our residents deserve.”
“This legislature is going to have to wrestle with emergency medical services issues in the months and years ahead,” Legislator Shurtleff (R-Groton, Dryden) reminded. “Key to solving the difficulties in emergency medical services is the involvement of all levels, especially the hospital. Having the nurses at the table, having all people at the table, and strengthening that organization is essential.”
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