State Senator George Borrello and several other Upstate Senators are calling on Governor Kathy Hochul to eliminate an annual fiber-optic tax. Borrello said the elimination of the fee in the state budget would have an immediate impact in rural … [Read more...]
Jamestown Public Schools Sending COVID-19 Tests Home Ahead of Winter Break
Jamestown Public Schools are preparing to send COVID-19 test kits home with students ahead of winter break. Superintendent Dr. Kevin Whitaker updated the school board, saying Governor Kathy Hochul asked schools to distribute the tests prior to … [Read more...]
Law Enforcement Stepping Up Patrols for Super Bowl Weekend
State and local law enforcement agencies will be stepping up patrols this weekend and targeting impaired driving during the Super Bowl weekend. The Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office, the Lakewood-Busti Police Department and the Town of Ellicott … [Read more...]
Governor Hochul Lifts Business Mask Mandate, Schools Must Continue to Mask
Governor Kathy Hochul has officially lifted the statewide business "mask or vax" requirement. Hochul, making the announcement on Wednesday, said counties, cities and businesses can still choose to require masks. She said the decision was made … [Read more...]
County Executive Wendel Welcomes End to Mask Mandate
Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel released a statement welcoming and supporting Governor Kathy Hochul's decision on masking. He said the county will not implement a local masking mandate going forward. Employees and visitors who enter … [Read more...]
NYS Comptroller DiNapoli Releases Review of Hochul’s Executive Budget
State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, in review of Governor Kathy Hochul's executive budget, states concerns about how the Pandemic, inflation, and supply chain issues will affect the state's economic recovery and financial plan. DiNapoli also has … [Read more...]
Governor Hochul Signs Legislation for New Congressional, Legislative Districts
Governor Kathy Hochul has signed the legislation creating new Congressional and Legislative districts in New York. However, legal challenges are already being filed in court. New York State of Politics reports the suit filed in state Supreme … [Read more...]
Governor Hochul’s Mask Mandate Granted Full Stay by Appeals Court
Governor Kathy Hochul's statewide mask mandate was granted a full stay by a State Appeals Court on Monday. The mandate had been given a "temporary stay" by the Appellate Division on January 25th after State Supreme Court Judge Thomas Rademaker … [Read more...]
Farm Labor Wage Board Approves Lowering Overtime Threshold to 40-Hour Work Week
The Farm Labor Wage Board has approved lowering the overtime threshold to a 40 hour work week for farm workers in New York. The decision was swiftly criticized by the agricultural industry and the Republican Party. The Albany Times-Union … [Read more...]
NYS Democratic Legislators Release New Congressional Redistricting Map
Democratic state legislators in New York released a congressional redistricting map Sunday that redrew House lines to give Democrats as many as three more seats. The Washington Post reports the map is expected to be voted on this week and signed … [Read more...]
