Archive: News

The Lansing Fire Commissioners approved a proposed $1,494,487 budget for 2020 Tuesday.  District Treasurer George Gesslein said that the tax rate is expected to be lower than last year, in part because of adjustments to the district's long term capital plan.

"It basically drops the tax rate one cent to $0.93 per $1000 (of assessed property value)," he said. "It's under the 2% tax cap, and it's under our maximum spending limit.  I think it works."

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced Wednesday that State Police will increase patrols to crack down on dangerous drivers and keep students safe as the new school year begins. The Governor urged motorists to watch for students as they walk or bike to school, follow posted speed limits, and obey the law by stopping whenever the red lights on a school bus are flashing and its stop arm is extended. This enforcement and awareness initiative supports ongoing safety measures the Governor has implemented to ensure the protection of New York's students.

"No matter how a child gets to school - whether on a school bus, a bike, a scooter, or on foot - they should feel safe," Cuomo said. "I urge every driver to do their part -- be alert and follow the rules of the road. Drivers who put children's lives in danger will be held responsible."

Tompkins County Administrator Jason Molino has delivered to the County Legislature a 2020 Recommended County Budget and 2020-2024 Capital Program.  The Recommended Budget supports total expenditures of $191.8 million and local dollar spending of $92.7 million. The budget is balanced with a 2.76% increase in the County property tax levy, which meets the Legislature’s 2020 levy goal, and is well below the County’s tax cap (estimated at 5.41%.) Due to continued strong growth in the county’s tax base, the budget contains a property tax rate that will go down again in 2020, to $6.31 per $1,000—a reduction of 1.58%. This is the sixth consecutive year that the tax rate has decreased and is the lowest County tax rate since 2011. Also recommended is a $2 increase in the County’s solid waste annual fee, bringing the fee to $60. Under the Recommended Budget, the County property tax bill for the owner of a median-valued $190,000 home would increase by $12.86.

“Our Budget continues to benefit from a strong local economy,” Administrator Molino notes in his annual Budget Message to the Legislature. “For the fifth straight year, the budgeted cost of mandated human services programs has remained manageable (an increase of less than 1% for 2020), in part, because of an economy that is creating opportunities for employment.” A robust growth in tax base fueled by large-scale new construction (17% over the past four years), along with stable growth in local wages and consumer spending, has contributed to healthy growth in sales tax collections, he said.

The Tompkins County Legislature, by unanimous vote, passed a resolution urging the New York State Public Service Commission "to condition any rate increases by New York State Electric and Gas on the provision of more reliable, affordable, and sustainable service to its customers to facilitate transmission of solar and wind energy systems onto the grid." As recommended by the Tompkins County Energy Task Force and the Legislature's Planning, Energy, and Environmental Quality Committee, the measure states that the Legislature supports the statements made by more than 60 people at the PSC's August 14th public hearing in Ithaca.

Late on Friday, August 30, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed S.6340/A.8225 into law, allowing Tompkins County to use local resources on the "development, maintenance or management of affordable housing."

"We've been working on this for almost two years, since we learned that state law was unclear about counties' authority to use their own funds to support affordable housing," explained Martha Robertson, chair of the Tompkins County Legislature. "We're delighted that the Governor has signed the bill, especially as we begin our budget deliberations for 2020."

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed legislation (S3281A /A 5059-A) last week authorizing the sale of wine, cider and mead at organizations hosting games of chance, such as bingo. Previously, organizations such as Veterans of Foreign Wars and Elks Clubs were only allowed to serve beer. This bill will take effect 180 days after becoming law.

"This measure is a win-win, providing new revenue sources for organizations like VFWs who host community game nights and boosting business for local craft beverage manufacturers," Cuomo said. "By signing this legislation into law we are removing unnecessary regulatory barriers that have impeded economic growth and hampered local community organizations for no good reason."

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed legislation (S.2438/A.1213) closing a loophole to give law enforcement access to out-of-state records to help prevent the dangerously mentally ill from obtaining a firearm license in New York. Under current law, individuals can apply for a firearm license in the county in which they reside, regardless of the location of the individual's permanent residence. Before a firearm license is issued, individuals must submit to a background check, but current rules often prevent access to out-of-state records pertaining to people who are dangerously mentally ill, and the National Instant Criminal Background Check System only flags people who have been involuntarily committed. As a result, the current system does not prevent dangerously mentally ill people who have not been involuntarily committed from applying for a firearm license in New York - this new law closes that loophole. Additionally the Governor signed a measure allowing local and state law enforcement officers more access to an individual's information on a firearm license application (S.6160/A.7739).

This legislation builds on the strongest gun laws in the nation, including the SAFE Act, the Red Flag law - which went into effect August 24 and prevents individuals who show signs of being a threat to themselves or others from purchasing or possessing a firearm - and legislation Cuomo signed this year extending the background check waiting period and banning bump stocks.

For the first time, registered voters in Tompkins County this fall will have a new voting option, with an additional nine days to cast their ballot before Election Day.  Early this year, New York State enacted the New York State Early Voting Act, which requires all New York counties to provide voters greater flexibility in when they choose to vote. Beginning with the November 2019 General Election, registered voters will have an additional voting option—a nine-day added window of opportunity leading up to the election during which they may cast their ballot, making an “Early Vote.” You must be a registered voter to be able to Early Vote.

“Early voting gives every voter 60 extra hours over a nine-day period in which they can vote,” notes Tompkins County Democratic Elections Commissioner Stephen DeWitt. “The voter is no longer required to find time to vote in their busy schedules on one designated day.”

The Second Amendment to the US Constitution says, "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."  The commas in that sentence have created possibly the most heated arguments in America, with those favoring more stringent gun control arguing that the amendment says that only those who are members of well regulated militias are granted the right to bear arms, while those in favor of freer gun ownership laws argue that they are two separate reasons guns may be carried.

The argument became quite heated Tuesday when Congressman Tom Reed (R-NY 23rd District, which includes Tompkins County) held a 'town hall' meeting Tuesday at the Tompkins County Library.  At the beginning of a gun control discussion during the questions and answers section of the meeting, Reed said he supports funding the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) researching the effect of gun violence, which drew applause from the Ithaca crowd. 

Congressman Tom Reed (R-NY 23rd District) met with Ithaca constituents at the Tompkins County Library Tuesday morning to talk about Social Security and other issues.  Reed said he and his staff are scheduling town halls at different times of the week, with some in the evenings.  They are also using the town hall forums to target specific issues.  Tuesday morning the issue was Social Security.

"One of the things I am committed to is reforming and saving Social Security for generations," Reed said. "Now in my role as Republican leader in the House of Representatives for Social Security, working with my Democratic partner John Larson, from Connecticut... we are taking on this issue because it's an issue that's going to have to be dealt with. We are committed."

Senator Pam Helming announced Tuesday that she has introduced legislation to create a "Back to School Sales Tax Holiday." Specifically, this legislation (S.6659) establishes a one-week period each year beginning on the Tuesday before Labor Day and ending on Labor Day when school supplies, including computer hardware and software, are exempt from sales tax.

"Back to school shopping used to mean buying notebooks, erasers, and perhaps a new pair of shoes. Today, it often means purchasing software, computers, calculators, and other electronics students use everyday to complete their school work. Many states across the country offer sales tax holidays just in time for back to school shopping. This is a terrific way to cut down on costs for educators and families and to help local businesses. The number one concern I hear in the community is the need to make New York more affordable for working families--this bill helps to accomplish this goal. It is my hope that this legislation will provide families and educators with an opportunity to purchase tax free school supplies that are necessary to help our children learn, grow, and succeed, Helming said.

On Sunday, July 25, Lansing Central School District suffered a ransomware virus on the district's server. The ransomware virus, known as 'Ryuk', encrypts data locking it from future use and holds the data for ransom. When the ransom is paid, a password is provided that unlocks the encryption.

Superintendent Chris Pettograsso stated that Lansing was fortunate in many ways.  "The virus itself was discovered within hours by an employee who came to work on a Sunday and noticed she was unable to access certain files. She immediately contacted our Director of Technology who in turn shut down all access to our servers," said Pettograsso.