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New farm bill could herald hemp resurgence in Southern Tier, Schumer says

New farm bill could herald hemp resurgence in Southern Tier, Schumer says
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., have plenty of disagreements, with one notable exception: industrial hemp. Both agreed it was time to decriminalize industrial hemp. The two vigorously pushed through a new Farm Bill, recently signed by President Donald Trump, that removes industrial hemp from list of controlled substances. Why? Both Kentucky and... more

THE DEBRIEF: Breaking down the biggest stories of 2018 (podcast)

THE DEBRIEF: Breaking down the biggest stories of 2018 (podcast)
What were the biggest issues in 2018? Many of them came at the end of the year, as elected officials primed and previewed 2019 agendas. On this episode of The Debrief Podcast, Josh Durso and Ted Baker sit down to discuss what was, and what will be in the world of politics moving forward. . more

Lawmakers from both sides say to let public have input on pay raises

Lawmakers from both sides say to let public have input on pay raises
Dissatisfaction with legislative pay raises is trending among lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. Hudson Valley state Sen. Sue Serino introduced a bill that would require voters to have a say in approving the pay commission’s recommendations. “With New York politicians poised to become the highest paid in the nation, New Yorkers themselves deserve a say in the process,... more

Criminal justice reform advocates cheer Cuomo’s intent to marijuana legalization

Criminal justice reform advocates cheer marijuana legalization
There are still blanks to be filled in, but criminal justice reform advocates on Monday cheered Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s support for legalizing adult use marijuana in 2019, a significant centerpiece for overhauling the state’s drug laws. In addition to backing a change in how the state views marijuana, Cuomo wants changes to bail and speed up access to a trial.... more

UPDATE: Charter responds after $174M settlement publicized by NY AG’s office

UPDATE: Charter responds after $174M settlement publicized by NY AG’s office
Charter-Spectrum is going to have to pay up. Attorney General Barbara D. Underwood announced a record $174.2 million consumer fraud settlement with Charter Communications, Inc. and Spectrum Management Holding Company (together “Charter”) for defrauding internet subscribers. The $62.5 million in direct refunds to consumers alone are believed to represent the largest-ever payout to consumers by an internet service provider (ISP)... more

Finger Lakes, Southern Tier, and Central New York win big with economic development funding

Finger Lakes, Southern Tier, and Central New York win big with economic development funding
The City of Geneva will see a series of projects funded by the Regional Economic Development Council after a series of announcements on Tuesday. “We are honored to have been awarded five grants from Regional Economic Development Councils (REDC) today. The Finger Lakes region was one of the top performers, receiving $86.5 million for the region,” the city said in... more

Legislators say funding for local roads and bridges is needed

Legislators say funding for local roads and bridges is needed
State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) today called on Governor Andrew Cuomo to “once and for all make New York State’s commitment to local roads and bridges the strongest state-level commitment in the nation.” The area legislators were responding to Governor Cuomo’s proposal to launch a new $150-billion infrastructure plan next year. The governor unveiled... more

Cuomo says he has three goals for healthcare in New York

Cuomo says he has three goals for healthcare in New York
Codifying the state health exchange, bolstering pre-existing conditions and making prescription drugs more affordable were among the trio of health care priorities Gov. Andrew Cuomo outlined in a radio interview on Wednesday morning. It’s not clear what Cuomo will push specifically on pre-existing conditions given the state already has a law on the books that pre-dates the Affordable Care Act,... more

Legislators urge Cuomo to veto uniform standard bill that would impact beer, wine industries

Legislators urge Cuomo to veto uniform standard bill that would impact beer, wine industries
A group of Finger Lakes-area state legislators today urged Governor Andrew Cuomo to veto legislation that was delivered to the governor for final action this week calling for the establishment of uniform standards for tastings of New York manufactured beer, wine, cider, and liquor. The legislation (S9040/A11203) received near-unanimous approval by both houses of the Legislature in the closing days... more

NY thwarting federal investigation into deadly limo crash

NY thwarting federal investigation into deadly limo crash
More than two months after a limousine crash in upstate New York killed 20 people, federal investigators still can’t get access to the vehicle to complete its probe. The National Transportation Safety Board released a letter Thursday to the Schoharie County district attorney expressing frustration with the stonewalling by the office and State Police, saying the delay jeopardizes the investigation and leaves... more

Activist urges Cuomo to sign Sexual Assault Survivors’ Bill of Rights

Activist urges Cuomo to sign Sexual Assault Survivors’ Bill of Rights
As the deadline approaches, proponents of a bill that would establish a sexual assault survivors’ bill of rights in New York hope Gov. Andrew Cuomo will sign the measure into law. The legislation was sponsored by Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas and state Sen. Kemp Hannon. It passed both chambers with unanimous support. The main objective of the sexual assault survivors’ bill of rights... more

THE DEBRIEF: Discussing policing in Wayne, Facebook’s suffering, and NY’s shrinking size (podcast)

THE DEBRIEF: Discussing policing in Wayne, Facebook’s suffering, and NY’s shrinking size (podcast)
As the Finger Lakes closes in on Christmas – Josh Durso is joined by Ted Baker of Finger Lakes Morning News, who is heard daily on WGVA and WAUB to break down the week’s biggest headlines. Here are the headlines from Episode #39: – Contract negotiations in Wayne County for deputies; – Job Ghosting and who’s to blame; – Facebook’s... more
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