Lawmakers in Ontario County chose a state law that cracks down on drunks behind the wheel to make a point about unfunded state mandates.

They say the issue is not with the merits of Leandra's Law itself. The law cracks down on drunk drivers. Rather, board members contend the law adds significant cost to local governments.

Leandra's Law makes it a felony to drive drunk with a child under 16 in a vehicle. It also requires anyone convicted of a drinking and driving offense to install an ignition interlock device in their car or truck. Individual counties are charged with monitoring the device.

“I think it's a case of the final straw that broke the camel's back,” said Donald Ninestine (D-Geneva), a supervisor leading the fight against unfunded mandates tied to the law.

Ninestine says the board of supervisors passed a resolution, ordering Ontario County's department of probation to not comply with a portion of the law, which requires local
probation departments to oversee the program.

He likens the move to drawing a line in the sand, regarding unfunded mandates.

“The state's going to do something else, and we're going to whine and say there's another unfunded mandate,” said Ninestine. “I’m through. We gotta stop it here.”

The state Division of Criminal Justice Services responded:

“We fully appreciate the concerns expressed by Ontario and other counties about the implementation of Leandra's Law,” said Janine Kava, a spokesperson for DCJS.

The agency points out Ontario County already submitted a plan for implementing the law, which was approved on July 1. DCJS expects to receive a $3 million grant to help
counties cover the cost.

“We expect that Ontario County will abide by the law, implement its plan, permit its probation officers to perform their job and enforce this crucial public safety measure,” said Kava.