Government

Lt. Duffy Talks Tax-Free Zones on SUNY Campuses in Rochester

Carlet Cleare — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:13:08 +0000

Startups and expanding companies that set up shop on community and SUNY College campuses wouldn't have to pay state taxes for up to 10 years.

That’s under the governor's proposed "Tax Free NY" initiative to spur economic and business growth.

To talk about the tax break incentive, Lt. Bob Duffy visited The College at Brockport's Rochester Educational Opportunity Center in downtown Rochester Thursday. City, business and education leaders attended the event.

Brooks To Deliver State of the County Address

Randy Gorbman — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:55:15 +0000

Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks delivers her annual State of the County address Thursday evening at the Eastman Business Park, and we’ll have live coverage on AM 1370 WXXI and www.wxxi.org

Brooks will be talking about the key role the business park is playing in the effort to revitalize the local economy, and she’s also expected to discuss other job growth efforts.

Fracking Not Currently in NY's Economic Development Plans

Karen DeWitt — Wed, 22 May 2013 21:36:12 +0000

Governor Cuomo, who still has not issued a decision on whether hydro fracking should be allowed in New York, is backing further away from the controversial gas drilling process in his economic development plans for the future.

Two years ago, Governor Cuomo considered hydro fracking a key component of his plans for economic development in the faltering upstate regions of the state.

Silver Moves on From Lopez Controversy

Karen DeWitt — Tue, 21 May 2013 21:14:27 +0000

One day after the state’s powerful Assembly Speaker admitted “glaring failures” in his handling of a sexual abuse case, the Albany establishment seemed to be moving on, with the usual round of press conferences, bill passage, and leaders meetings.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver attended a top level meeting with Governor Cuomo and Senate leaders on casino gambling , and oversaw passage of a one house bill on the Dream Act, to help children of undocumented immigrants get funding for college.

Emily Good Running For Sheriff

Randy Gorbman — Mon, 20 May 2013 21:19:46 +0000

The Green Party of Monroe County has endorsed Emily Good to run for Monroe County Sheriff.

She is the activist who made national headlines a couple of years ago when she was arrested for obstruction of governmental administration after video-recording Rochester Police officers while they were carrying out a traffic stop.

Suburban School Budget Votes On Tuesday

Carlet Cleare — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:16:42 +0000

Suburban voters head to the polls Tuesday to decide on their district's school budget and elect school board members.

The executive director of the Monroe County School Board Association, Jody Siegle, says budget discussions have been difficult this year. She says that's because of rising rising pension and benefits costs, limited state aid and the state's new property tax cap.

Poll: Voters Have Two Different Takes on State Government Right Now

Alex Crichton — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:16:36 +0000

When it comes to state government, voters have two different answers right now.
A Siena Poll asked voters if they agree with Governor Cuomo's statement that "New York State Government is Working Again."

50 percent agreed, 36 percent disagreed, and 13 percent neither agreed nor disagreed.
Pollster Steve Greenberg adds Siena wanted to know how voters feel about certain fiscal issues and ethics and whether state government is working.

They found that a majority feel the state government is working when it comes to safeguarding the rights of all New Yorkers.

Call for Community's Help to Stop the Violence

Alex Crichton — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:30:03 +0000

Rochester Police Chief James Sheppard says citizens need to work with police to put an end to the streak of violence plaguing Rochester the past few days.
Speaking after a weekend of violence near the Lilac Festival that led to 20 arrests, Sheppard is calling on the community to step up and help.

As for the spate of recent violence, Chief Sheppard says he strongly believes that there is nothing that happens in this city that somebody doesn't know about prior to, during, or after it happens.
And he's calling for the community to step up.

Supreme Court To Take Up Greece Prayer Case

Randy Gorbman — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:45:44 +0000

WASHINGTON (AP) The Supreme Court is taking a new case on the intersection of religion and government in a dispute over prayers used to open meetings in a Western New York town.

The justices said Monday they will review an appeals court ruling that held that the town of Greece violated the Constitution by opening nearly every meeting over an 11-year span with prayers that stressed Christianity.

Assemblyman Lopez Will Resign As Of Monday

Randy Gorbman — Sat, 18 May 2013 18:37:01 +0000

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A New York assemblyman accused of sexually harassing young female staffers for years says he will resign before he's expelled from the Legislature.

Assemblyman Vito Lopez informed leaders on Saturday he will resign effective Monday morning.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver had planned a rare expulsion proceeding against Lopez beginning Monday.

Lopez was once a powerful Brooklyn Democratic leader and has been in the Assembly's Democratic majority since 1984.