(Chad Eldred 12-3-14)

Those who would like more information about the Center can call 724-2111 or log on at stic-cil.org. The deadline to file in this round is Febraury 15th.
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Congressmen Chris Gibson is calling on Governor Cuomo to sign into law the Lyme disease bill that passed the State Legislature this year. The Patients’ Rights/Doctor Protection Bill provides that physicians who treat Lyme and other tick-borne diseases according to medical standards should not be subjected to investigations of their medical licenses by the Office of Professional Medical Conduct. Cuomo has not indicated if he will sign the bill.
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State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli said the $5 billion dollars in extra money New York is reaping from the bank settlements should not be viewed as a surplus, and should not be spent as though there will be more money coming in the future. DiNapoli said it should not be used for recurring expenses, like tax cuts or increased school aid. According to projections, the state still has a structural deficit of nearly $2 billion dollars for the upcoming budget year. Cuomo and legislative leaders have said they want the $5 billion dollars to be kept separate from the budget and placed in an infrastructure fund.
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The State Department of Taxation and Finance launched the continuing education component of New York’s regulations to protect consumers who hire tax preparers. The training program builds on the first phase of the regulations – tax preparer registration, which began in 2010. Each year, about 70% of tax returns are completed and filed by paid tax preparers. The training program will ensure that those who prepare taxes for others are adequately trained. For more information go to tax.ny.gov
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The General Clinton Canoe Regatta will bring back youth Wrestling at this years activities in General Clinton Park. Regatta Chairman John Harmon explains:

(John Harmon 5-8-14)

Harmon said that the matches would all be under a tent in the park, the wrestling matches were a very popular event at the Regatta in the 1980’s.

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The State Senate Task Force on Heroin & Opiod addiction will hold another public hearing tomorrow, to gather more input on the growing problem. The task force will be in State Senator John Bonacic’s District:

(Bonacic 5-8-14)

Friday’s hearing will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at the Sullivan County Government Center in Monticello, those who were unable to attend the Oneonta event are invited to testify at Friday’s event.

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The Delaware county Sheriff’s Office now has a drug drop-0ff Box In their Front Lobby at 280 Phoebe Lane in Delhi.   Sheriff Tom Mils announced that Mallinckrodt’s Hobart plant is responsible for the prescription drug take-back collection box. County Residents are invited to safely and legally dispose of unused or unwanted prescription drugs at the Delhi Location, in order for these items to stay out of the wrong hands. The box may be utilized to dispose of prescription medications, however, Needles and liquid medicine cannot be discarded in this box.   More information is available at 746-2336.

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Lieutenant Governor Robert Duffy announced that he would not seek re-election with Governor Como this year. Duffy notified Cuomo Wednesday that he would not be on the ticket, he sited back & leg pain as being issues that were impinging on his ability to travel as much as the job requires, he also stated the desire to be closer to family in the Rochester area. No replacement by Governor Cuomo has been announced.

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State Police arrested 34-year-old April Florance of Kirkwood, for DWI & Unlawful possession of Marijuana. Police reported that Florance drove the barracks to make a complaint; the desk Trooper detected a strong odor of alcohol on her breath.   Troopers determined that Florance also in possession of marijuana in the police station.   Florance refused to submit to a breath test, she was arraigned & was and remanded to the Broome County Jail pending future court action.

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Federal auditors say New York should repay $60.8 million in Medicaid reimbursement, for unallowable costs for room and board for taking care of developmentally disabled people. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services inspector general said repairs, maintenance, utilities, and property-related costs should have been excluded, in calculating Medicaid payment rates at state-operated residences. The audit recommends the state Health Department refund the $60.8 million federal share of those costs.

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State lawmakers voted for tougher penalties for drivers who leave the scene of an accident. The state Senate voted in favor of legislation to impose up to seven years of prison on a motorist who flees the scene of an accident resulting in an injury. Currently, the crime carries a sentence of up to one year. The fines and potential prison sentence for leaving the scene of a fatal accident would also be increased. Similar legislation is pending in the state Assembly.

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4 State University of New York campuses will get more locally grown vegetables under a pilot project called Farm to College. The project is supported by a $99,000 federal agriculture grant to American Farmland Trust. The 4 SUNY campuses are the University of Albany, SUNY New Paltz, SUNY Oswego and SUNY Oneonta.  The grant will help New York farmers get more local produce into the state’s colleges.