Governor Cuomo unveiled his State of the State Agenda & the Executive Budget proposal to a joint session of the legislature this afternoon:
(Cuomo 1-15-19)
The Legislature has until April 1st to pass the budget for the start of the next fiscal year, the 2019 session officially ends on June 19th.
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Governor Cuomo proposed a number of reforms Monday, regarding limousines, busses, taxis & school busses, following the October 6th accident in Schoharie last year that took 20 lives. The vehicle involved in the crash in Schoharie was a re-manufactured SUV, Cuomo proposes banning remanufactured limousines, the bill also would require drivers to hold a Commercial driver license to operate a for-hire vehicle with 8 or more passengers; Make it a felony to remove an out of service sticker placed by a DOT inspector without having the vehicle re-inspected by the DOT; Explicitly authorize DOT and DMV to seize suspended license plates & make it a felony for any owner/operator to tamper with a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard tag or vehicle inspection sticker; among several other proposed safety requirements.
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The State Legislature passed several new voting rights bills Monday in Albany. The bills allow for early voting, pre-registration for 16 & 17 year olds, Same-day registration, No excuse absentee voting & combining state/federal primaries, the package of bills now goes to the Governor for his signature.
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29 year old Naythan Aubain of Utica has been declared unfit to stand trial, on 2 counts of murder in Oneida County. Aubain is accused of killing his 90 year old Grandmother Katherine Aubain & her landlord, 87 year old Jane Wentka in Utica on January 6th. Aubain was examined by 2 mental health experts, who declared that he say that he is not fit to proceed in a court trial, in accordance with the State Criminal Procedure Law.
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The Binghamton Rumble Ponies and United Way of Broome County are holding a “Soup”er Bowl Can Drive. Fans are encouraged to donate non-perishable canned goods including soups from January 25th – January 31st at The Armory Team Store at NYSEG Stadium, which will be donated to the Southern Tier AIDS Program. The Armory Team store will be open Monday through Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM during the duration of the promotion.
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A Portion of the Old Tappan Zee Bridge was demolished into the Hudson River this morning. The portion was imploded; remaining parts of the old bridge will be removed from the site for recycling.
Governor Cuomo will deliver his 2019 STATE OF THE STATE AND Executive Budget proposal this afternoon to a joint session of the legislature in Albany. The address will begin at 2:00 PM at the Egg in Albany.
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The Oneonta Common Council will hold their next meeting this evening. The meeting will be held at the 2nd floor council chambers at City Hall at 7:00 PM & will be open to the public
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Another Red Cross Blood Drive will be held in Oneonta today from 1:00 to 6:00 PM at the St. James Episcopal Church at 305 Main Street. Appointments can be made with the Red Cross Blood Donor App, at RedCrossBlood.org or at 1-800-RED CROSS. All blood types are needed.