Wendel says county lawmakers looking at ways to suspend all, or a large part of motor fuel tax...
Chautauqua County lawmakers are looking at ways to lower the cost of gasoline at the pump that will help motorists... but, not at the expense of local taxpayers. That from County Executive P.J. Wendel... who made the comments at the beginning of Tuesday night's "Farewell Town Hall" hosted by local Congressman Tom Reed in Kiantone. There's been much discussion about whether the county should eliminate the local share of the fuel tax. However... Wendel says the law only allows it to be "capped." He says they are investigating the matter... but, he adds they only may be able to "cap" the tax at a certain dollar level. Wendel says the wholesale price for regular, unleaded was about a dollar lower than the retail cost when the local price at the pump hit $4.40 a gallon a few weeks ago. He says the other issue is what kind of hole might be blown in the 2022 budget by such a move. Wendel asks, if counties are looking at a $2-million to $4-million deficit in their budget, where are you going to make up that money? New York state lawmakers recently approved suspension of the state's portion of the gas tax from June 1 through the end of the year.
Gas prices in Jamestown-area fall 11-cents over past week...
Gasoline prices have fallen again this week in the Jamestown-area... even as crude oil prices rise again. AAA's East Central Gas Report says this week's average price locally is down about 11-cents a gallon for regular, unleaded. It's now about $4.14 a gallon. It was about $4.25 last week. While gas prices have decreased again this week... AAA says market concerns remain about the return of seasonal gas demands and higher global oil prices. To start the week... the price for a barrel of oil was up to about $107. The national average cost for a gallon of gas has fallen to $4.08. However... AAA says demand is beginning to tick up again.
Hochul says NYS continuing to monitor COVID-19 case, and hospitalization numbers...
Governor Kathy Hochul says the state is watching the COVID-19 numbers closely, but she says those numbers are likely to fall as warmer weather arrives. Hochul gave an update during a briefing held in Syracuse Wednesday. She says cases are up, but far from January's peak, when cases spiked at 461 a day per 100,000 people. She says that's much lower now, even with the increases of recent weeks. Hochul says those numbers are flattening a bit. She adds that they are watching the hospitalization numbers very closely. Hochul says there were about 1,400 people hospitalized in the state Tuesday. By contrast... she says there about 12,000 hospitalized on Jan. 12. Hochul is urging people to get vaccinated... and, if they are already vaccinated, to get boosted.
Hochul says state will keep mask requirement for public transportation in place...
New York will continue to require masks on buses, trains and subways in the state. That from Governor Hochul during her COVID-19 briefing in Syracuse. Hochul adds "let's just be smart about it..." and, she believes people feel more protected with the masks on in those settings. She adds that the requirement for face masks in nursing homes, correctional facilities... and health care settings. The Buffalo-area Democrat adds that she expects to continue the requirement for the short-term.
SUNY JCC resumes annual Earthfest program...
It was too brisk to be outdoors... but, the Earth Awareness Club at Jamestown Community College brought back Earthfest on Wednesday. This was the first Earthfest since the pandemic began. The program offers vendors and exhibitors whose goal is to get the campus and community focused on the environment, the chance to do that. This year's theme was 'Protect our Pollinators.' Earth Awareness Club President, Charlie Milliman says choosing the right things to plant is key. Milliman says they're urging residents to plant native flowers, and trees because the invasive species can cause harm, and even destroy native species. JCC will also offer a special program on planting native species next Monday, April 25, at 6:30 p.m. at the Carnahan Theater on the campus. The speaker will be Dr. John Titus of SUNY Fredonia. The public is welcome at no charge.
Spring snow storm earlier in week leaves 14 inches of snow at some higher elevation locations...
A late-season storm dumped six inches or more of heavy, wet snow on parts of Pennsylvania, upstate New York and northern New England. New York Governor Kathy Hochul said the storm snapped tree limbs and interrupted power to more than 350,000 utility customers in her state alone. Some higher-elevation areas in New York had 14 inches of snow by mid-morning, although accumulations were less for lower areas. Work crews had reduced the number of outages by the early evening.
Panel of judges hears arguments in NYS gerrymandering lawsuit...
A panel of appellate judges in New York are hearing arguments about whether the Democratic-led Legislature unconstitutionally passed new congressional maps. A group of Republican voters say the maps are indeed gerrymandered. They've filed a lawsuit asking to have the maps tossed out. They also want to delay the June congressional primaries until late August, to give the state time to draw new maps. Democrats' attorneys say the maps are more than fair to Republicans.
