Two of New York's top Democrats say they have launched a statewide push against tax reform bills that call for the repeal or reduction of state and local tax deductions.
US Senator Chuck Schumer joined with Governor Andrew Cuomo to say that all New Yorkers will feel the impact if the so-called "SALT Deduction" is eliminated.
Schumer says they are calling on the state's nine Republican House members, including local Congressman Tom Reed, to join in opposing the move.
Schumer cited figures from the Institute of Taxation and Economic Policy, which say 23% of taxpayers who make between $65,000 and $111,000 would see a tax increase. He adds that jumps to 42% for workers earning $111,00 and $240,000 a year.
Schumer says the average increase would be about $1900. Cuomo calls the elimination of the SALT Deduction a "tax on a tax."
Local Congressman Tom Reed says he is supporting a bi-partisan tax reform package that would continue the State and Local Tax Deduction for property owners making up to $400,000.
However, it would change the deduction to a tax credit and, would eliminate the credit for people who earn more than the $400,000 level.
That's where he differs with Senator Schumer and Governor Cuomo. Reed says that would make it available to all but about 650 to 700 residents of his 23rd Congressional District.
Reed says he explained his position to Governor Cuomo during a phone call late last week and, called it hypocritical to see politicians on the other side of the aisle painting those supporting tax reform in the wrong light. He says the move would help 99-percent of the people in his district.
Reed, a Republican from Corning made his comments during his weekly telephone conference call with Southern Tier Media Monday afternoon.
Jamestown police are investigating a shooting incident on the city's eastside last Sunday that sent one man to the hospital with a non-life threatening wound.
City Police Captain Bob Samuelson says the incident, which occured in the area of 150 Barrows Street just after 7:30 PM, was one where the victim was targeted.
Samuelson says the unidentified victim was taken to UPMC Chautauqua WCA Hospital for treatment. No arrests have been made and, no motive has been disclosed. However, he says they do have suspects in the case.
If you have any information, you can call the confidential JPD Tips-line at 483-TIPS that's 483-8477. You can also contact them on the Tips 4-1-1 app.
A Westfield man faces charges after being found over the past weekend with more than half-a-pound of marijuana in his possession.
Sheriff's officers say they stopped a westbound vehicle on Route 5 for unapproved headlights. Deputies say investigation revealed that the driver, 26 year-old Cory Raynor, was in possession of just over 13 ounces of marijuana.
Officers say Raynor was issued appearance ticket for Portland Town Court at a later date.
A local effort to better link people with substance abuse issues with the services they need in Chautauqua County is getting a $1.5-million boost from the federal government towards those efforts.
That from retired Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Director Andy O'Brien with UPMC Chautauqua WCA Hospital. O'Brien still consults for the hospital and, wrote the award-winning grant. He says the main part will be program to quickly link addicts in crisis with the services they need.
O'Brien says a lot of people get into the chemical dependency "system" but, often don't get the services they need that may be available locally. In addition to better informing the public about those, he says they also want to help addicts with better transportation services because many can't drive.
O'Brien says they'll be getting a vehicle to help people in the central and north county areas. The $1.5-million is part of $5.7-million Governor Cuomo recently announced to be used for medication-assisted treatment options and, programs that help pregnant women and new mothers dealing with drug abuse.
Strong winds moved into the area late yesterday and through the early overnight along the Lake Erie shoreline.
A Wind Advisory expired overnight for both Chautauqua and Southern Erie counties.
Southeast winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph arrived late yesterday through the about Midnight. Gusty winds likely brought down a few small tree limbs and result in isolated power outages.
Along with the strong winds, we has another unseasonably warm day Monday. But, Meteorologist Kirk Apffel of the National Weather Service in Buffalo says a cold front has brought an end to the August-like weather.
While it was expected to reach the mid 70s in parts of western New York it only got to about 67 in the immediate Jamestown-area.
New York state's top prosecutor has launched a civil rights investigation into The Weinstein Co. following sexual assault allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.
Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced the probe Monday. His office says it issued a subpoena seeking all company records.
The Democratic attorney general says his office wants to know whether any New York employees were subjected to pervasive harassment or discrimination at the company, which is based in New York City.
Weinstein was fired October 8th by the company he co-founded after allegations of sexual assault and harassment spanning decades were exposed by two newspapers.
