State lawmakers begin voting on new budget...
New York lawmakers began voting Monday on a $229-billion state budget due a month ago that would raise the minimum wage, crack down on illicit pot shops and ban gas stoves and furnaces in new buildings. State Senator George Borrello says four bills were passed Monday... and, he expects another five by the end of the day today. Negotiations among Governor Kathy Hochul and her fellow Democrats in control of the Legislature have dragged on past the April 1 budget deadline, largely because of disagreements over changes to the bail law and other policy proposals included in the spending plan. Floor debates on some budget bills began Monday. State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said she expected voting to be wrapped up Tuesday for a budget she said contains “significant wins” for New Yorkers. Hochul was able to push through a change to the bail law that will eliminate the standard that requires judges to prescribe the “least restrictive” means to ensure defendants return to court.
Matar has latests pre-trail Omnibus Hearing today in County Court...
The New Jersey man who has been jailed since he viciously attacked author Salmon Rushdie at Chautauqua Institution had another pre-trial hearing this morning. And.. it appears that 25 year-old Hadi Mater's trial may begin this Fall. Matar faces one count of second-degree attempted murder... and, second-degree assault in last August's stabbing. Rushdie had been living under threat of assassination since 1989 after his fourth-novel, "The Satanic Verses..." had come out in 1988. Matar is accused of stabbing Rushdie at least 10 times. Rushdie has recovered from his serious injuries... but, did lose an eye in the attack.
City Council has homework to do on potential changes to SAFER Grant to hire more firefighters before next Monday's meeting...
There was no Jamestown City Council meeting last night... but, that doesn't mean there isn't work to do before next week's work session. City Council last week tabled a resolution to hire eight new firefighters that would allow all fire stations to be staffed, along with a second ambulance. However... the question was raised if the city could still take advantage of a three-year SAFER grant to hire fewer firefighters -- more than likely four. Council President Tony Dolce says he wants to explore all possibilities... but, doesn't want to hire the eight... then have to lay them off in three-years. He says "I'd rather take the time to try and get it right." Council did ask Mayor Eddie Sundquist to see if the Federal Emergency Management Agency would go along with a grant for fewer firefighters. Dolce also took a moment to thank firefighter union members and others for keeping the discourse civil... because that wasn't the case in the past. The city was awarded the $1.8-million SAFER Grant earlier this year to hire the additional firefighters. However... the City Comptroller's Office found the cost would be $2.1-million before the grant runs out in 2026.
Langworthy helps kick-off Small Business Week in Chautauqua County Monday...
The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce held a kick-off event for Small Business Awareness Week Monday at DFT Communications in Fredonia. Congressman Nick Langworthy was among several elected officials who turned out for the event and commended the work of small businesses in the county. Langworthy says small businesses create about two out of every three jobs in America... and, the nation's success is built on "small business success." Langworthy also recognized DFT Communications, with the telecommunications company celebrating its 125 year in business. He presented Kris Maytum of DFT with a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition. Maytum spoke on behalf of the company... adding that the communities support has been key to their success all these years. Deputy County Executive for Economic Development, Mark Geise, also presented Maytum with a certificate of recognition.
Trial of Limo company owner in Schoharie County gets underway...
Nearly five years after a stretch limousine packed with birthday revelers careened down a hill and crahsed on a rural upstate road... killing 20 people... the operator of the company that rented out the vehicle is going on trial. Nauman Hussain, who ran Prestige Limousine, is charged with criminally negligent homicide and second-degree manslaughter in connection with the Oct. 6, 2018 crash -- one of the deadliest U.S. road wrecks of the past two decades -- in Schoharie, just west of Albany. Jury selection began Monday in Schoharie County Court for a trial expected to last at least four weeks. Seventeen people using the limo for a birthday celebration were killed, along with the driver and two bystanders outside a country store where the vehicle crashed.
Gould named as new Media Information Officer for Chautauqua County...
A Falconer native who has headed up an on-line media company in recent years has been hired to be Chautauqua County's new Media Information Officer. County Executive P.J. Wendel says Justin Gould will take on the newly-created, bi-partisan role to "enhance and ease communication between both the news media and public." In the position... Gould will disseminate all noteworthy county communications... and, coordinate news media inquiries that pertain to county government and other related affairs. He calls it "an honor" to be named to the position. Gould will begin work for the county on June 1.
