One senator asked Mr. Bruno if the state would steam ahead on Medicaid reform with a governor who was now a lame duck.

Lessons from the Medicare drug program must be applied to Medicaid reform.

In the end, the governor's cursory words about Medicaid reform bothered county executives from around the state.

At their annual meeting, they voted unanimously to support broad welfare and Medicaid reforms.

Big tasks remain, like education funding and Medicaid reform.

He draws a direct line between the need for Medicaid reform and the growth of local property taxes.

They debate upstate economic development, Medicaid reform and Social Security privatization.

"I support welfare reform and Medicaid reform because that's what my district wants."

"The governor has consistently pushed for local mandate relief, pension reform and Medicaid reform, all of which will dramatically help local governments."

But county officials do not have high hopes for Medicaid reform next year.