Governor Cuomo continues his campaign to get the Legislature to support a plan to freeze property taxes for 2 years and push local governments to share services. Cuomo said that several years ago, before he was elected governor, the state passed a law making it easier for governments to consolidate, & it has fallen on deaf ears:
(Cuomo 3-18-14)
Cuomo also is calling for a $1 billion-a-year proposal to provide a rebate to property taxpayers, if schools and local governments abide by the tax cap and cut their tax levy. The State Assembly wants to give the rebate check without any requirements on local governments; the Senate wants any consolidation efforts to count toward the eligibility for the rebate. The tax cap limits the growth in property taxes to 2% a year or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower. This year, it’s 1.6 percent
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The state senate has rejected a bill to open state financial aid to students in the country illegally. The Assembly passed the Dream Act last month and included it in its budget resolutions last week. Gov. Cuomo had indicated support. The proposal included a budget appropriation, of $25 million, to open Tuition Assistance Program money for students at both public and private colleges. Opponents of the bill said it takes opportunity away from students in the country legally.
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Village elections are being held today in New York State. Locally, most races feature unopposed candidates, in Afton, incumbent mayor sally Muller faces a challenge from Stephen Hitchcock; polls are open until 9:00 PM.
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The Bainbridge chamber of commerce will hold their next Business After Hours event today. The program will be hosted by the Jericho Garden Club of Bainbridge, and will be held at Galaxy Bowl from 6 :00 to 8:00 PM.
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Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is calling on chain pharmacies to stop selling tobacco products. Earlier this year, CVS announced its plans to stop selling tobacco products beginning in October. Schneiderman and attorneys general from more than 24 other states are calling on companies including Wal-Mart, Walgreen’s, and Rite Aid to do the same. According to Schneiderman, tobacco-related diseases caused more than 480,000 deaths last year. Healthcare costs and productivity losses attributed to smoking cost the nation $289 billion in 2013.
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ASIS International, an organization for security professionals, honored State Police Superintendent Joseph D’Amico with its 2014 Person of the Year Award. The ASIS award is presented to a public official, or private sector individual, that has demonstrated outstanding dedication, caring, and service to the New York community. It recognizes the individual’s contribution to the security and safety of all citizens in New York State.
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“Cirque Dreams Rocks” Tickets are on sale at The Arena Box Office and Ticketmaster. The songs for CIRQUE DREAMS ROCKS are huge hits form the last several decades in the Cirque Dreams Franchise style. Tickets are available at the Arena Box Office and Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000 or on-line at Ticketmaster.com. More information about the show is available at BroadwayInBinghamton.com.