Governor Cuomo & State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced today that the state budget is facing a 2.3 billion dollar shortfall, due to the Federal “Salt” adjustments that penalized the state by eliminating full deduct-ability of state and local taxes, plus Stock Market volatility and a slowing economy in the 4th quarter:
(DiNapoli 2-4-19)
Lawmakers have until April 1st to get a budget passed for the start of the next fiscal year.
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The Vestal Police Department has charged 34 year old Daniel Butash of Endicott with felony counts of vehicular assault, 2nd degree assault and DWI. Butash is accused of driving while intoxicated in the wrong direction on State Route 17 in Vestal early Friday morning, while fleeing Police; he crashed his vehicle head on into a Patrol car driving by Broome County Sheriff’s Deputy Kristy Botsford. Butash suffered only minor injuries, Deputy Botsford suffered a broken Femur in her right leg, and both were taken to Wilson Hospital in Johnson City following Friday Morning’s crash, more charges against Butash are possible.
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Johnson City Police arrested 39-year-old Hayes Cutting of Bainbridge, following an alleged theft from the Johnson City Walmart & a pursuit on Airport Road after Cutting refused to stop for officers. Cutting lost control of his vehicle at Barrier Road, Cutting & his passenger 35-year-old Amanda Vanhouten fled into the woods but were apprehended a short time later. Cutting and Vanhouten were charged with grand larceny, resisting arrest & criminal possession of controlled substance, Cutting was found with heroin at the scene with intent to sell, Cutting was also handed multiple vehicle and traffic violations, authorities say.
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State police responded to almost 1,100 crashes and issued more than 600 travel ban tickets during last week’s snowstorm. State Police said that there were more than 1,500 disabled or abandoned vehicles from the snowfall, there were 3 deaths & 1 tractor-trailer driver ignored the ban near Rochester Wednesday afternoon & caused a 19-vehicle pileup.
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State Lawmakers may decide to eliminate “Cash Bail” this year, among other reforms involving those arrested for criminal activity. Governor Cuomo outlined possible reforms in his “State of the State” address last month:
(Cuomo 2-4-19)
Various groups opposed to Cash bail protested in Albany earlier today, opponents claim that the Bail System unfairly penalizes the poor & minorities & allows too many people with financial resources go free.
Firefighters from several area companies responded to a blaze at 3 Johnson Street in Bainbridge at about 4:00 PM Sunday afternoon. Bainbridge Fire Chief Fred Bell told WCDO news that the fire was electrical, starting in the 1st floor kitchen, it spread to the 2nd floor, all occupants & their pets escaped, there were no injuries reported. Firefighters from Afton, Sidney, Guilford, Masonville, & Coventry also responded.
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The Delaware Valley Humane Society is seeking donations for the McClancy family, who lost their belongings in Friday’s Fire at 14 East Main Street in Sidney. Humane Society Director Erin Insinga told WCDO News that the family had adopted 2 dogs from the shelter, that eat 4-Health Grain Free Dry Food, they will also accept toiletries, Gift cards & any other donations on behalf of the family at the shelter, during normal business hours from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Friday’s Fire was caused by an electrical problem, there were no injuries among fire fighters & the occupants & their pets escaped without injury.
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State Senator Jen Metzger made remarks at a press conference on Friday, expressing their deep concerns over the Governor’s proposed cuts to Aid to Municipalities funding:
(Metzger 2-4-19)
In early January, Governor Cuomo released his proposed budget for the 2020 fiscal year, slashing $59 million in funding for local governments through the Aid to Municipalities program, impacting all 19 villages and 31 of the 37 towns in her 42nd District.
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