Archive: News

Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton (D/WF-125) announced today that her bill authorizing a state study on wage disparities among public employees (A2549) has been signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo. Specifically, the legislation would direct the President of the New York State Civil Service Commission to publish a report evaluating the presence of wage disparities among public employees in relation to job titles segregated by gender and race/ethnicity. Lifton said the legislation is important because it will deliver critical data that can be used to address wage disparities based on the equivalent value of employment.

"We have made significant progress as a society in narrowing the wage gap over the last few decades, but despite these landmark efforts, inequities still exist," said Lifton. "Nationally, women earn 80%, on average, of what men earn, and this gap widens even further when you factor in race. There are many reasons why eliminating this gap makes sense. Wage disparities can have very negative long-term impacts, not just for the workers themselves, but also for their children and families."

Up to 16 Nazi-themed posters were discovered on and around the Humanities building at SUNY Purchase last Sunday. University Police said the flyers were found in multiple locations around the campus. They featured pictures of Adolph Hitler and swastikas. The line "Don't be stupid, be a smarty/Come and join the Nazi Party" from Mel Brooks' satirical motion picture, 'The Producers', is printed on the posters.  Sunday was the last day of Hanukah, the Jewish Festival of Lights that celebrates the the rededication of the second Jewish Temple in Jerusalem in the second century BC.

"I am disgusted by the discovery of neo-Nazi material at SUNY Purchase today," Governor Andrew Cuomo said Monday. "In New York, we will not tolerate the toxic social dynamic that is spreading like a cancer across the country and fueling hateful material like the neo-Nazi fliers that were found on this campus. I am directing the State Police Hate Crimes Unit to assist in the investigation into these fliers. Those behind this noxious act should know that these fliers, far from inciting fear, will only harden our resolve to combat hate in all its forms. We will not cower in the face of hate. While they spread fear, we will spread love."

Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport received a bomb threat at approximately 1PM yesterday (Thursday), one of many businesses, institutions, and other airports nationwide that received a bomb threat today.

In accordance with its emergency plan, the Airport immediately notified the Tompkins County Sheriff's Office and Federal authorities. Safety and security of Airport passengers and tenants was the top priority.

Two of the State University of New York's (SUNY) flagship campuses, Buffalo and Stony Brook, did not properly monitor or restrict access to hazardous materials, according to an audit of seven SUNY schools released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

"Rules to safeguard dangerous substances were not always followed at SUNY campuses," DiNapoli said. "Weak oversight of hazardous materials could jeopardize the health and safety of students and campus communities. SUNY needs to do a better job to ensure these items are kept under lock and key."

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced a week ago that New York State is on track to end the AIDS epidemic by the end of 2020 and proposed new regulations that will remove barriers and expand access to care for uninsured or underinsured people living with HIV. These regulations build on New York's reputation as a national leader in the fight against HIV. In New York, the number of people newly diagnosed with HIV continues to fall to historic lows, demonstrating that the State's efforts to end the epidemic are making a significant impact. World AIDS Day is December 1st, and World AIDS day activities in New York will be held Tuesday, December 4th, with the NYS Ending the Epidemic Summit on December 5th.

"New York State has made tremendous progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and this new data demonstrates we're on track to achieve our goal of ending the epidemic by 2020," Cuomo said. "As our fight to end the epidemic continues, these new regulations will ensure more individuals living with HIV have access to the care they need and in the process help stop further transmissions."

Washington, DC - Congressman Tom Reed (NY-23) introduced the Energy Sector Innovation Credit Act last week to encourage the U.S. energy market to be technology-diverse, innovative and good for consumers.

"The United States is falling behind in energy innovation because the size and the complexity of the energy market stymies American ingenuity and entrepreneurship," Tom said. "The Energy Sector Innovation Credit Act encourages cutting-edge energy technologies to break into the market, and it keeps government from picking winners and losers so all innovative, efficient energy technologies can succeed."

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced Monday the extension of the state's Real Property Tax Law exemption on farm buildings, which will provide continued tax relief for New York farmers and growers. The Real Property Tax Law exempts agricultural producers from paying real property tax on buildings that are essential to the production of agricultural or horticultural products, such as temporary greenhouses, dairy barns and exercise arenas for horse-boarding operations.

"New York's agricultural industry is a major sector of our economy, and it's critical that we continue to support local farmers and growers," Governor Cuomo said. "This tax exemption will help New York's hard-working agricultural producers invest in their farms and grow their businesses, and as a result increase competitiveness and productivity for years to come."

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo directed the State Police Hate Crimes Unit to assist in the investigation into two swastikas and an anti-Semitic slur that were found Wednesday spray-painted on the walls of the office of a Jewish professor and Holocaust scholar at Columbia Teacher's College.

"I am disgusted by the abhorrent act of anti-Semitism and hate that occurred at Columbia University," Cuomo said. "In the wake of this incident, I stand together with Columbia University and the entire Jewish community of New York. I am directing the State Police Hate Crimes Unit to assist in the investigation. We will hold those behind this act responsible to the full extent of the law, and we will rise above this hate."

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) today announced that nine community solar projects throughout New York have been awarded contracts through the "Solar For All" program. This is the first in a series of awards under the program to provide access to no-cost community solar to 10,000 low-income New Yorkers. Increasing access to renewable energy for all New Yorkers is a cornerstone of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's clean energy agenda, and today's announcement supports both the state's goal of building three gigawatts of solar projects by 2023 and the Governor's mandate for 50 percent of New York's electricity to come from renewable sources by 2030 to combat climate change.

Alicia Barton, President and CEO, NYSERDA said, "Today, under the forward-thinking leadership of Cuomo, solar energy is growing faster than ever before, and it is accessible for more New York homeowners and renters than ever before. NYSERDA is proud to be advancing the Solar for All program to make sure that our most vulnerable residents have increasing access renewable energy while supporting the Governor's commitment to lowering energy costs for New York families."

Local Law Adopted Regarding Local Advisory Boards of Assessment Review
After a public hearing, the Tompkins County Legislature, without dissent, adopted a Local Law that amends the County Charter to remove the requirement that Local Advisory Boards of Assessment Review meet each year. In a follow-up action, Legislators, also by unanimous vote, approved a resolution suspending the Local Boards for a one-year trial period for the 2019 Assessment review. As revised, the Charter amendment indicates that Local Advisory Boards of Assessment Review may conduct local grievance hearings, not that they shall do so.

Geneva - Senator Pam Helming announced Tuesday the availability of grant funding for new and existing anaerobic digesters. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) made $16 million available to continue to promote the use of anaerobic digesters on dairy farms. The money will be split evenly between existing and new digesters in order to encourage the generation of clean energy and protect our environment and lakes from farm waste. Helming has led the fight to deliver this critically important funding, which gives local farmers a way to safely dispose of waste while generating energy for their operations. An additional $3 million will be available through the Advance Agriculture Energy Technologies initiative for other on-farm clean energy projects.

"Anaerobic digesters play a crucial role throughout our farming communities, especially in the Finger Lakes region, where one-third of New York State's anaerobic digesters are located. Farmers rely on this technology to generate energy while limiting farm waste and protecting our precious water resources. It is imperative that we protect the viability of these technologies so that existing digesters remain active. It is equally important to continue to encourage the deployment of anaerobic digesters on dairy farms as a critical component of environmental stewardship as well as creating opportunities for new systems. As Senate Chair of the Legislative Commission on Rural Resources, I've been working hard with the NY Cow Power Coalition, the Northeast Dairy Producers Association, and Cornell PRO-Dairy to ensure that farmers who operate anaerobic digesters have the resources they need to continue utilizing this technology. I applaud NYSERDA for its timely commitment to ensure the continued viability of anaerobic digesters," Helming said.

Lakefront parks in the Village of Lansing may be accessible if plans actually come to fruition.  Mayor Donald Hartill said Monday that the Village is in negotiations with the Bolton Point  Water Commission to purchase a plot of land together that will accommodate both a new pump station for the water commission and a lakefront park for the Village.  The final piece will be obtaining access for park visitors to cross the railroad tracks that legally separate the existing park, Poison Ivy Point, and the mainland.

"There is a lot for sale just to the north of that pump station, and it has 250 feet of frontage on the lake," Hartill said. "It also has a steep slope and a more or less flat spot on top where you could build a house.  (General Manager Steve Riddle) and I have been discussing how we could go forward with this by a combination of Bolton Point and the Village buying the parcel, subdivide off the piece that Bolton Point needs for the plant.  One possibility is for us to sell the portion you could build on and retain the steep slope and the lake frontage as a village park."