Legislature approves increased income level for Senior Property Tax Exemption, nix two other "Affordability Act of 2026" measures...
Minority Democrats on the Chautauqua County Legislature were able to get one of their three proposals that make up their Affordability Act of 2026 approved at last night's meeting. Lawmakers amended the initial proposal to increase the Senior Real Property Tax Exemption from $30,000 to $32,000. Democrats had sought a $38,000 exemption. The compromise was offered by Westfield-area Republican Fred Johnson... and, Jamestown Democrat Tom Nelson expressed his thanks for the move. Nelson says" it's not as high as we wanted... (but) it's something... and, we're willing to compromise on it." The new senior exemption was approved unanimously... and, fellow Republlican, Dalton Anthony from the Frewsburg-area... noted that Audit and Control Committee members feel this would only have a minor impact on taxes for everyone else. That measure was approved unanimously, 17-0... with two members absent.
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However... county lawmakers did not approve the rest of the Affordability Act... which included at $6-million proposal to use some of the county's $35-million undesignated fund balance to cut taxes... and, reduce the sales tax from 8% to 7.75% a percent. Legislator Fred Johnson opposed doing both now without further review for their impacts. It was also pointed out that a change to the sales tax would impact how much the county takes in... and, how much is shared with local municipalities. They added that final numbers aren't known yet on how much fund balance is being used to close out the books for 2025.
Langworthy calls Trump's SOTU a "bold vision for America..."
Local Congressman Nick Langworthy says President Donald Trump "offered a bold vision for America" during Tuesday night's State of the Union Address to a joint session of Congress. The Buffalo-area Republican says that vision is "growing stronger and safer every day." Langworthy adds the speech "correctly pointed out the facts on how our America First policies are delivering results: taxes and prices are down, private sector job growth and wages are up, mortgage rates are at the lowest rate in 4 years, fentanyl trafficking is down 56-percent... and, the border is secure." In addition... he says the president's "peace through strength mantra has made every citizen of the world safer. His speech was filled with pride and optimism for our country, honoring our heroes and celebrating our wins, while acknowledging the steep price of freedom and the work ahead." Langworthy says he's long supported many of the policies the president is trying to tackle next... such as such as stock trading bans for members of Congress, cracking down on corporations buying up housing stock and implementing voter ID.
Investigation continuing into Lakeview Correctional Facility inmate's brutal attack on employees...
The investigation is underway by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision of an alleged assault of a Lakeview Correctional employee by an inmate at the town of Portland facility. A DOCCS spokesperson Wednesday morning confirmed that an Offender Rehabilitation Coordinator -- ORC -- was struck in the head and face a number of times by the inmate. Security staff immediately responded and were able to restrain the inmate. The coordinator was taken by ambulance to a local hospital; and a corrections officer who got injured was also taken to a hospital. Neither victim has been returned to duty.
Wendel says he's "deeply disturbed" by brutal assault on corrections workers, and calls for eliminating the HALT Act...
In response to the assault of two corrections employees at Lakeview Correctional Facility... County Executive P.J. Wendel says he's "deeply disturbed by the brutal assault on a civilian counselor and several correction officers" Wendel says his thoughts are with the dededicated professionals who were injured while carrying out their duties. The Lakewood Republican adds that he stands with State Senator George Borrello and Assemblyman Andrew Molitor in supporting their proposal to repeal the HALT Act. Wendel says since it's enactment... the number of assaults on corrections officers... medical staff... and, inmates have risen at an alarming rate." All three concurr that the HALT Act and similar policies have taken away critical tools they need to maintain order in the state's corrections system.
City of Jamestown awarded $1.7-Million dollar grant for Lead Abatement program...
The city of Jamestown has been awarded $1.7-million to support a targeted lead hazard remediation initiative in the city's older rental housing stock. City officials say the money is coming through the Housing Trust Fund Corporation under the New York State Homes & Community Renewal program. Mayor Kim Ecklund says the grant will be implemented in coordination with the Chautauqua County Health Department’s Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. She adds the initiative represents a coordinated effort by the city, and Chautauqua County, to proactively reduce lead exposure risks within Jamestown. County and city officials say the funding will support direct remediation activities in eligible rental units, including work on high-risk friction and impact surfaces such as windows and doors, paint stabilization, and related lead-safe rehabilitation measures. They add that the program also provides temporary relocation assistance during active remediation... and, requires final clearance testing prior to reoccupancy to ensure units meet established safety standards. The county's Childhood Lead and Heatly Homes Coordinator and Senior Public Health Sanitarian, Anna Powell says -- "protecting children from lead exposure requires consistent monitoring, clear standards, and timely intervention. Proper identification of hazards and adherence to established safety standards are essential to preventing exposure."
