The State Assembly has passed a bill allowing for marijuana to be used for medicinal purposes, in tightly controlled circumstances. Assemblyman Bill Magee supports the measure:

(Magee 5-30-14)

Magee said that the state senate only has a few weeks to get legislation passed, as the legislative session ends in the 3rd week of June. Governor Cuomo supports the medicinal use of marijuana.
———————————–
New York City will buy homes and businesses in flood zones in the watershed areas. The one-two punch of tropical storms Irene and Lee in 2011 has prompted an additional $70 million of spending by the city to combat flood hazards. City officials said the programs would protect the water while helping the towns that participate. The city agency will earmark at least $15 million, through 2017, to buy vulnerable homes and businesses, including those not eligible under the FEMA flood buyout program. The city also will provide $17 million to the Catskill Watershed Corporation, which implements protection programs, for flood hazard mitigation in those communities.
——————————————-
The U.S. House of Representatives adopted an amendment introduced by area Congressman Chris Gibson that increases funding to combat the heroin epidemic plaguing Upstate New York communities. The amendment to the Fiscal Year 2015 Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Bill increases the account for the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force by $4 million. The Task Force supports multi-jurisdictional investigations to target drug traffickers.
————————————-
Governor Cuomo vowed to campaign against state Senate leaders unless they pass public financing for statewide campaigns before the Legislature finishes its session next month. Cuomo said he is pessimistic public campaign financing will pass before lawmakers wrap up the session. If the Senate balks at the measure, he said he would “go to the people and tell them what he thought about the coalition failing to deliver on an important progressive item. Senate Republicans blocked broad public financing earlier this year, and lawmakers created a pilot program that only applied to this year’s state comptroller race.
—————————————
The Chenango County Health Department is advocating for the blockage of legislation that would add a layer of red tape to day camp operations in the county. The bill, which has yet to pass the state Senate or Assembly, would subject single purpose day camps, such as dance camp, basketball camp, or even fire camp, to the same regulations associated with summer camps that have multiple recreations like hiking, swimming, and other potentially dangerous recreations. The health department said the legislation could be detrimental to camps in upstate communities.
—————————————
Governor Cuomo reminded New Yorkers the deadline to register to vote in the upcoming June federal primary elections is today. Voters can register using the state’s online MyDMV website. In order to apply to register to vote online, you must have a valid New York State driver license, or identification card, and establish a MyDMV account. Go to dmv.ny.gov.
————————————-
A Fly In Breakfast Will Be Held On Sunday at the Sidney Municipal Airport from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The event is sponsored by the Fagan Flyers; the event will include a pancake breakfast, plane rides, crafts, displays, blood pressure screening, live music and a 50/50 raffle.