Archive: News

Ovid, NY - Senator Pam Helming visited the Lodi Point area Tuesday morning, shortly after flash floods caused by torrential rains and overflowing streams devastated the southern end of Seneca County. Working with local first responders, she helped coordinate New York State's response to this emergency. Throughout the week, she has continued to visit the command center and been in regular contact with state agencies to support the first responders on the ground and help coordinate recovery efforts.

Josh Brokaw announced Wednesday that he will challenge Ken Lansing and Derek Osbourne in November's Tompkins County Sheriff election. Brokaw, an independent Ithaca-based reporter turned in over 1,450 signatures from Tompkins County voters to the Board of Elections on Tuesday, August 21. Brokaw will appear on the general election ballot as a candidate for Tompkins County sheriff on November 6 on the 'TruthSayers' line.

"I found out by talking to hundreds of people that many voters are surprised to hear that anyone can run for sheriff, or are unclear on the responsibilities of the sheriff's office," Brokaw said. "We live in a time when many people are afraid of police officers in this country, and it seems some officers are afraid of the people they are supposed to serve. Elections for offices like sheriff are excellent opportunities for us to have a no-holds-barred conversation about how our police operate and how we can make the Tompkins County Jail a safer and more humane institution, among many other pressing subjects. With only two career law enforcement officers in the race before I entered, it didn't seem like we were going to have that sort of conversation this fall. That's why I entered the race, beyond the basic need to ensure a choice for the people in November."

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed legislation (S.7993/A.10275) Wednesday that expands the benefits available to eligible crime victims, who have not been physically injured, to include reimbursement of crime scene cleanup and domestic violence shelter costs. The change will allow victims of hate crimes or domestic violence cases, such to apply for compensation for these expenses from the state Office of Victim Services.

"With this legislation, we are demonstrating our continued commitment to protecting New Yorkers and helping crime victims get back on their feet and rebuild their lives," Cuomo said. "These benefits will help the healing process and help us build a stronger, safer and more compassionate New York for all."

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced Tuesday that New York is joining the Powering Past Coal Alliance, an international coalition of governments, businesses, and other organizations committed to leading the rest of the world in ending the use of traditional coal power. On Monday, the Governor also issued a letter to Acting Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Andrew Wheeler urging him to abandon the EPA's proposed replacement of the Clean Power Plan to prop up the coal industry.

"The future of our environment, our economy and our children is at stake, and New York will not let President Trump take us backward. Today I am proud to announce that New York will join the Powering Past Coal Alliance to share our expertise and experience and continue to lead the fight against dirty and dangerous fossil fuels," Cuomo said. "With our bold mandate to close all coal-fired power plants by 2020 and our nation-leading commitment to renewables, we are already at the forefront of the clean energy revolution and we will not go back."

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed legislation (S.7388B/A.8684B) Thursday to protect pets from being abandoned during an eviction. The law requires officers executing a warrant of eviction to check the property for pets and to coordinate the safe removal of such animals with the evictee.

"I know firsthand how pets quickly become members of your family and it is absurd that in these instances a living animal can be treated the same as a possession and be put in harm's way," Cuomo said. "I'm proud to sign this measure that will protect beloved family pets and solve this issue once and for all."

The Village of Lansing Trustees voted Monday to apply for Deer Depredation (nuisance) Permits (DDP) that will allow hunters to hunt in the Village outside of normal hunting season, and under special rules that include hunting 24 hours a day and placing bait to attract deer.  The Village's deer management program is one of several in the county that attempt to mitigate overpopulation of deer in an area that is unable to sustain large herds, resulting in starvation and disease.  Cornell University Department of Natural Resources' Dr. Bernd Blossey manages the Village of Lansing program.  He said that the program has been somewhat successful, but there is more to do.

"The question is, what do you consider a success," Blossey said. "We can debate that.  We try to measure things in terms of recruitment of vegetation.  That's not where we need to be.  The landowners are telling us some things are coming back, but we are not there in terms of ecological damage or with Lyme disease.  It's more difficult to shoot a deer in the Village than outside, but that's OK.  We're on the right path."

Washington, DC - U.S. Representatives Tom Reed (NY-23) and Kathleen Rice (NY-04) announced that they will introduce a resolution to amend the current rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit Members of the House from serving on the boards of publicly-held companies.

The resolution would create a House equivalent to Senate Rule 37.6(a), which states that no Senator "shall serve as an officer or member of the board of any publicly-held or publicly regulated corporation, financial institution, or business entity."