Governor Cuomo outlined his 2016 agenda & a 145 Billion dollar budget proposal this afternoon in Albany:

(Cuomo)

Among the topics covered by Governor Cuomo, building a better infrastructure, expanding breast cancer screenings, sheltering the homeless & holding lawmakers to a high standard. State lawmakers have until April 1st to get the budget passed, their session runs until mid-June.
—————————————–
State Police at Norwich are currently investigating a burglary to a seasonal home on Wothe Freeman Road in the Town of Lincklaen. Trail camera footage from this area shows unknown white male suspects stealing property from December 17th through December 26th, 2015. The stolen property is valued at about $1,400. Anyone with information is asked to call the State Police at 334-3296 or send an email to Investigator Ricky Bush at Ricky.Bush@troopers.ny.gov. All information will be kept confidential.
———————————–
Oneonta police arrested 28-year-old Lawrence Kern of Walton, for allegedly taking a washer and dryer from an Oneonta residence. Kern was charged with 3rd degree burglary, petty larceny, third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation, having an unregistered trailer, light violations for a vehicle and trailer and failure to notify the Department of Motor Vehicles of an address change. Kern was arraigned & he was remanded to the Otsego County jail on $1,500 cash or $3,000 bond bail pending future court action.
————————————————-
Oneonta police arrested 37-year-old Brendan Murphy for 2nd degree assault, plus criminal mischief, & menacing, for allegedly beating a woman with a metal pipe Saturday. Murphy was arraigned & was sent to the Otsego County jail without bail, he will re-appear in court January 19th.
——————————————————-
State Police arrested 22 year old Nathan Sellers of Deposit for 3rd degree Rape. Sellers is accused of having sexual contact with a minor under the age of 17, he was arraigned and was remanded to the Broome County Jail without bail set, the investigation is continuing.
—————————-
Late Monday night members of the Walton Police Department and Delaware County Sheriff’s Office discovered a fire at 52 Burton Street; they extinguished the fire & discovered an open natural gas line, which was shut down by Walton Fire Department members, averting a potential explosion. The Walton Police Department and Delaware County Sheriff’s Office arrested 31 year old David Thompson of Walton was charged with 33rd degree Arson, Burglary, Attempted Criminal Mischief & Reckless Endangerment & 38 year old Henry Stellato of Hamden for 3rd degree Arson; Burglary & Conspiracy. Thompson was arraigned and was remanded to the Delaware County Jail without bail; Stellato was arraigned & was remanded to the County Jail on $75,000 cash bail pending further court proceedings.
———————
Assembly Republicans called for changes to the rules governing the Assembly Chamber. Assemblyman Cliff Crouch comments:

(Crouch 1-13-16)

Some of the changes include an end to the “three-men-in-a-room” budget negotiations, rules reforms to chamber operations, 8-year term limits for legislative leaders and committee chairs; require the return of campaign funds to donors or charity upon felony convictions; and prohibit the use of campaign funds on criminal defense fees;
—————–
Assemblyman Pete Lopez is calling on the Assembly Leadership to move into the Internet age to increase transparency in government:

(Lopez 1-13-16)

Lopez & the Assembly Minority are calling on a package of reforms to be passed, to rid the Assembly of the tight fisted controls formerly used by Disgraced former Speaker Sheldon Silver.
———————————–