SCHENECTADY COUNTY — The Metroplex Development Authority’s efforts to increase its bonding cap and extend its lifespan hit a political snag following action by the Schenectady County Legislature Wednesday night.

The snag could hinder efforts by the county’s top economic development engine to fund revitalization projects along lower State Street and within industrial parks.

Majority Democrats in the Legislature want state Sen. Hugh Farley, R-Niskayuna, to reconsider home rule legislation they sent to the state Legislature in April.

To do so would require Farley to ignore legislation proposed by Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco and Assemblyman George Amedore, fellow Republicans. Their legislation amended the county’s home rule request.

Farley said Wednesday night that he is not willing to do that.

“I am not going to be part of this game, and I’m not going around Assemblyman Tedisco,” he said.

Farley said the county Legislature’s resolution puts the current Metroplex legislation in limbo.

“They don’t have a bill to give a home rule message on,” he said.

The county Legislature’s home rule legislation supports Senate Bill 7721, the original proposal. Farley amended his legislation, however. The Senate Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions approved the amended version last week. There is no Assembly sponsor because Tedisco and Amedore did not take it up.

Farley said he supports the amended version, calling the amendments modest.

Tedicso’s and Amedore’s changes would bar political chairmen and certain county employees from serving on the Metroplex board. Democrats said the legislation targeted Metroplex Chairman Ray Gillen, who is a county employee. They also called the changes political tinkering and unnecessary. Republicans said Gillen is exempt from the changes.

Farley said that “Ray Gillen feels it is a good bill” and that he supports Gillen’s efforts.

Farley said Tedisco would have to reintroduce the original legislation before he would consider making changes to the amended bill.

“If Assemblyman Tedisco is willing to reintroduce the original legislation, I am willing to do that,” he said.

County Legislature Minority Leader Robert Farley, R-Niskayuna, called the Democrats’ measure “meaningless” and said it would prevent Metroplex from getting its bond cap raised to $75 million from $50 million. Metroplex also would not have its life extended by five years.

Gillen said he could transform $25 million in bonds into $100 million in local economic development efforts. The bonds are backed by a dedicated portion of county sales tax that Metroplex receives annually.

County Legislature Chairwoman Susan Savage, D-Niskayuna, said she is confident Metroplex will get its bond cap raised and its life span extended.

“There are a number of ways it can happen,” she said.

One scenario is to obtain sponsors in the Assembly other than Tedisco and Amedore and for the state Senate to introduce the original bill. Savage said she has had discussions with state legislators about the Metroplex legislation.

Farley said he has never seen that happen in his years in the Legislature, and he called the move insulting.

In other business, the county Legislature approved a four-year contract with unionized workers at the Glendale Home. The 180 employees will receive 3 percent raises each year while the county will achieve significant savings through changes in health care coverage.

The Legislature also approved a resolution that asks the state Department of Health’s permission to build a $51 million, 200-bed nursing home on the Glendale Home’s campus. The county hopes to have the facility open by 2010.