The New York Tax commission released its report to governor Cuomo earlier this week, with proposal to keep the state growing by lowering or freezing taxes. Governor Cuomo commented yesterday in Albany about the plan”:
(Cuomo Tax Commission 12-12-13)
The Commission also endorsed most of the plans forwarded to simplify the structure of state’s tax system by eliminating nuisance taxes. The governor will include the recommendations in his State of the State address January 8th and his state budget proposal, which will be released on January 21st.
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State Senator Jim Seward announced that 47 job creation projects in the 51st senate district will receive state funds totaling more than $14.8 million through the third round of Regional Economic Development Council awards. Seward’s district encompasses the Mohawk & Southern Tier regions, which won 2 of the biggest awards again this year, Statewide a total of $715.9 million was awarded for 824 projects.
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Marijuana in New York would be legalized under legislation submitted Wednesday by a state senator Liz Krueger of Manhattan. The Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act would tax and regulate marijuana in the same manner as alcohol, the bill would remove penalties for possession under two ounces of marijuana or less. It would make 18 the minimum legal age for marijuana possession and consumption, but prohibit the sale of marijuana to people under the age of 21. The bill said there would be an excise tax of $50 per ounce of marijuana, and localities would be able to authorize a sales tax on retail sales.
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State Senator Tom Libous reported that only 70% of Delaware County homeowners have registered for their STAR exemption. Libous said that there are still about 1,100 homeowners in Delaware County who are missing out on this money-saving School Tax Relief exemption. Homeowners across New York State who receive the Basic STAR exemption must re-register with the New York State Tax Department, by December 31st. registrations are available at tax.ny.gov and clicking on Register for STAR, or by calling 518-457-2036. Seniors receiving Enhanced STAR are NOT affected. Libous stated that the STAR program saves the average property owner $700 a year.
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State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is pressing wireless carriers to install anti-theft measures in smart phones. Schneiderman sent letters to the nation’s biggest wireless carriers regarding the industry’s decision to prohibit Samsung from pre-loading a “kill switch” application. The device can be activated remotely after a smart phone is stolen and render the phone permanently inoperable. In New York, there was a 40 percent spike last year in cell phone thefts.
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Delaware County Deputies arrested 23-Year-old Maxwell Ginty Jr of Delhi Monday. Deputies reported that an arrest warrant had been issued by the Town of Fenton Court on a charge of 4th degree Grand Larceny. Ginty was turned over to the Broome County Sheriff’s Office for further action.
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U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is optimistic the Senate will vote in January on her bill to change the military’s approach to sexual assault cases. Gillibrand failed to get a Senate vote this year on her proposal, which would give military attorneys the authority to decide whether to prosecute sexual assault cases and other serious crimes in the armed forces. She had offered the proposal as an amendment to an annual fiscal 2014 National Defense Authorization Act, which is expected to win approval in the House this week and the Senate next week.