Governor Cuomo & state leaders met today to discuss the New York Rising program, to distribute money to areas that needed rebuilding after the string of devastating weather events hit the state over the last 3 years. The Governor Commended local leaders in attendance for their efforts in putting together plans to rebuild their communities:

(Cuomo 4-23-14)

Local counties were awarded millions of dollars through the Regional Councils, for their for infrastructure repairs or replacements following Superstorm Sandy, Tropical Storm Lee & Hurricane Irene since 2011.

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The State Labor Department released local area unemployment rates for March.   The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.9% in March, the number of private sector jobs in the state was 7,539,300, the highest ever for the month. Locally, the Binghamton & Southern Tier region had 7.6% unemployment, down 9/10th from March of last year.

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State Police & the State Liquor Authority conducted an underage drinking initiative detail in Otsego & Delaware counties.   The detail used a group of 3 underage operatives who attempted to purchase alcoholic beverages from 4 convenient stores and 5 bars in Otsego & Delaware Counties. No arrests were made as all the establishments passed.   The establishments were located in Meridale, Delhi, Davenport, & Oneonta.

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Local authorities are currently not required to be notified of hazardous materials being brought through an area on freight cars. US Senator Charles Schumer is calling for that policy to be changed, currently, the State Police in Albany are notified, but that does not help the local authorities and emergency responders in the event of a train derailment.

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Delaware County Public Health is reminding area parents to keep to the recommended schedule for child vaccinations. The Centers for Disease control said that vaccinating children on time is the best way to protect them against 14 serious and potentially deadly diseases before their second birthday. Officials report that when parents choose not to vaccinate or they delay vaccinations, children are left unprotected against diseases that still exist such as measles and whooping cough. More information on childhood vaccinations is available at 832-5200 or cdc.gov/vaccines.

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A new Siena Research Institute poll shows Governor Cuomo is leading Republican Gubernatorial candidate Rob Astorino in a head-to-head race. However, results from the poll suggest Cuomo’s lead would slip if a third party candidate, who voters view as more liberal or progressive than the governor, entered the race. In a one-on-one race with Astorino, Cuomo leads 58 percent to 28 percent. The poll shows his lead would drop 15 points if a Working Families Party candidate entered the race. Cuomo’s favorability fell slightly compared to last month. 57 percent have a favorable view of the governor, while 38 percent have an unfavorable view.

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The Norwich Emergency Management Office, in collaboration with the National Weather Service in Binghamton, will offer a course in weather spotting. The free SKYWARN weather spotter’s course will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27, at the Norwich Fire Department. SKYWARN is a national program that provides real-time severe weather reports to the National Weather Service. For more information call 334-1230.

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New York State ended the 2013-14 fiscal year with a budget surplus, and deposited $175 million in the Rainy Day Reserve Fund, according to a report by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. However, DiNapoli said the $143 billion budget continues to rely on temporary funding sources to attain balance. The General Fund’s year-end balance, of more than $2.2 billion, was $432 million more than the February Financial Plan projections.

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