P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 5-7-14

wcdonews — Wed, 07 May 2014 16:20:40 +0000

P.m. news Wednesday 5-7-14
Governor Cuomo yesterday honored 20 fallen police officers from law enforcement agencies across New York State, including 5 who died in 2013 in the line of duty. The names of the 20 officers join the 1,340 others who have been inscribed in the black granite walls of the Police Officers’ Memorial, which represents 140 police agencies statewide and five federal agencies. More than 400 people attended the remembrance ceremony, which was held at the Empire State Plaza in Albany.
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A bill that would require labels on food products containing ingredients from genetically modified crops has passed a hurdle in the state Assembly. The Assembly’s Consumer Affairs and Protection Committee endorsed the measure. A vote of the full Assembly has not been scheduled. The bill would apply to genetically modified fruits, vegetables and processed foods, as well as items that contain ingredients like oil or sugar, that are derived from genetically engineered crops.
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Legislation before state lawmakers would prohibit magazine publishers from automatically renewing a customer’s subscription without their consent. The bill is an attempt to protect consumers, by outlawing the practice by some publishers of requiring a reader to notify them, if they do not want their subscription renewed. Identical versions of the legislation have been introduced in both the Senate and the Assembly. No votes on the legislation have been scheduled
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Richard Ball was confirmed by the State Senate as New York’s agriculture commissioner. The Senate completed Ball’s confirmation yesterday, he had been serving as acting commissioner since January. Ball has owned a 200-acre Schoharie County Farm for 2 decades & is a former board member of the New York Farm Bureau.
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Republican Gubernatorial candidate Rob Astorino made a stop in Broome County yesterday advocating for natural gas drilling. Astorino said the State DEC reports at least 25,000 jobs could be created through natural gas drilling. Astorino claims he will allow natural gas drilling, if he becomes Governor, but would put public health first by setting up the proper regulations before moving forward. Astorino is challenging Governor Cuomo in the upcoming November election.
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New York has the distinction of being the worst state in the nation for retirees, according to a new study from Bankrate.com. New York has the highest tax rates in the nation as well as the 4th highest cost of living. The state ranked poorly when it came to the general well being of its retiree population, with poor grades for the quality of health care. New York State has implemented tax cuts in this year’s budget reaching $793 million this year and $1.7 billion next year.
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State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced a $475,000 settlement with Office Depot, for improperly overcharging over 500 New York government entities. The investigation found that Office Depot had inadequate systems in place to ensure compliance with a promise to the state and overcharged by hundreds of thousands of dollars. The settlement ensures that every impacted agency will receive refunds for 100% of the overcharged amount. Office Depot was not renewed last year for a contract for office supplies with New York State.
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The work at the Sidney High School Athletic Fields is continuing, with the weather cooperating so far. Sidney Superintendent Bill Christensen said that a good portion of the work will be completed after the current school year:

(Bill Christensen 5-7-14)

Christensen said that the renovations to the athletic fields and Auditorium should be completed by the fall.
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P.M. NEWS MONDAY 1-13-14

wcdonews — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 18:17:17 +0000

New York State may adopt a medical marijuana program this year, where the drug could be administered in a pilot program through 20 hospitals. Governor Cuomo commented during the state of the state address last week:

(Cuomo 1-13-14)

State senator Tom Libous of Binghamton disagrees with the initial proposal:

(Libous 1-13-14)

The Democratic led state assembly has passed medical marijuana bills in the past; it has always failed to pass in the Republican controlled state senate.

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The state Legislature starts its 2014 session in earnest this week. Lawmakers return to Albany today and tomorrow for session days. The Republican-dominated coalition in charge of the Senate will issue a report on hearings lawmakers held across the state on New York’s regulatory climate. Democrats in control of the Assembly have already introduced legislation to speed implementation of a $9 an hour minimum wage by the end of the year, a full year ahead of schedule.

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Delaware County Deputies arrested 41-year-old Michelle Wright of Margaretville for 2 counts of 4th degree Grand Larceny, Criminal possession of stolen property, & Criminal impersonation. Wright was arraigned and was remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $500 cash bail. Wright is accused of using a credit card that did not belong to her and charged in excess of $1,000 dollars on that card. She is due back in the Town of Roxbury Court on January 15th.

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Shortly after 11:30 am the Norwich Fire Department responded to a fire alarm activation at the DCMO BOCES Chenango campus. Norwich units arrived on scene and found the building evacuated with no smoke or flames showing, firefighters found a small fire in a bathroom that was quickly put out.

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Governor Cuomo has nominated Richard Ball as the next Commissioner of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Ball operates a farm & retail business in Schoharie County, he faces state senate approval prior to taking the position. Ball replaces Darrel Aubertine, who had been the commissioner since 2011.

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Governor Cuomo signed legislation that authorizes local municipalities to adopt their own laws regulating or licensing pet dealers. The “Puppy Mill” Bill was passed by the legislature at the tail end of the 2013 session, previously, state law blocked local governments from enacting their own pet dealer laws. The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets will continue to enforce existing state laws pertaining to animal care by pet dealers.

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New York State’s 64-campus university system is undertaking a virtual expansion, adding new online degree programs, and enhancing academic and technical support for students taking classes via computer. The State University of New York goes live Tuesday with eight new online degree programs at six campuses and plans to add more in September. SUNY currently offers more than 12,000 courses and 150-degree programs online. For more information go to opensuny.org.

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New York would have the toughest texting-while-driving penalties in the nation under a proposal by Governor Cuomo. The governor pitched a law that would suspend the driver’s license for 1 year, for those under age 21 caught texting while driving. Currently, there is a 6-month suspension for teens caught texting while driving. Cuomo also proposed revoking licenses for 5 years, for drivers with 2 drunk-driving convictions in a 3-year period and full revocation of driver’s licenses for those with 3 convictions. Currently, 2 DWI’s within 10 years leads to a minimum 1-year suspension.

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RICHARD BALL – WCDO Radio News

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 5-7-14

P.M. NEWS MONDAY 1-13-14