Court: Orange County Partnership is not a public authority

Orange County Supreme Court Judge Robert Onofry ruled Nov. 20 that the Orange County Partnership is a private, not-for-profit company, rejecting the State Authority Budget Office’s assertion that the Partnership was a governmental public authority under the ABO’s control. This court decision allows the Partnership to continue to promote economic development in the county. Robert Kaehler, chair of the Partnership’s board, said the state was "intent on overregulating private economic development companies" and called the ruling "a big victory for independent economic development."