The state assembly is inching back to normal activity following the recent arrest of Former Speaker Sheldon Silver, and the appointment of Carl Heastie of the Bronx as the new Speaker. Area Assemblyman Pete Lopez said that Silver’s stranglehold on the leadership of the Assembly, and his arrest for alleged corruption shows the need for reform in the state legislature:

(Pete Lopez 2-9-15)

Governor Cuomo stated last week that he will not sign a state budget plan unless a series of ethics reforms are enacted by the legislature, to stop the wave of criminal activities by several recent legislative leaders.
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Nearly 230 new Troopers will be honored Tuesday Morning at Graduation Exercises at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, for completing the 202nd session of State Police Academy. Trooper Jin Hong Park of Nyack will be assigned to Troop C in Sidney following the ceremony.
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Governor Cuomo outlined new tax exemptions proposed in the 2015-16 Executive Budget to the growth of the wine, beer, cider and spirits industries. The proposals include tax exemptions at tastings, including for off-premises tastings. The full proposal is available at taste.ny.gov.
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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested and charged 23-year-old Peter Minko of Walton Friday for 1 count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance. A search of his vehicle in an April probation visit, found Minko to be in possession of a glassine envelope containing a white powdery substance, the State Police Regional Crime Laboratory late last month identified that substance as Heroin. Minko was issued an appearance ticket returnable in the Delhi Town Court at a later date.
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The Bainbridge Chamber Of Commerce announced that their 3rd “Reunite Bainbridge” meeting for tonight has been cancelled due to the winter weather. The meeting is expected to be rescheduled.
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30-year-old Sarah O’Brien of Binghamton was arrested after police found heroin in her home Saturday. The Broome County Task Force Units conducted a search in her residence; they confiscated 43 bags of heroin packaged for sale. O’Brien was arraigned in the city of Binghamton court and faces criminal possession of a controlled substance charges.
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