State Budget Conference Committees ideally need to get their worked wrapped up this week, if lawmakers & the governor want the annual spending plan enacted on time. Area assemblyman Cliff Crouch Comments:

(Crouch 3-25-15)

Governor Cuomo has tied ethics reforms for lawmakers to the budget this year, the assembly leadership is going along with the Governors reforms, the State Senate leadership might also agree in the coming days. The governor made the reforms his top priority following the arrest in February of then-Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver on federal corruption charges.
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A “Protect Our Schools” demonstration will be held in Oneonta Tomorrow afternoon as part of a campaign by parents & teachers regarding state mandates on schools, excessive testing of students and the possible closing of schools or consolidating school districts. Kjersti Van Slyke-Briggs is an area parent that co-founded the “Oneonta Area for Public Education” group, she is one of the co-organizers of Thursday’s event in Oneonta & she told WCDO News that there are a list of concerns parents have in addition to the controversial common core curriculum:

(Kjersti Van Slyke Briggs 3-23-15)

Area schoolteacher Michelle Decker said that tying students test scores, with a high failing grade of 85, to teacher effectiveness is not a good way to evaluate teachers:

(Michelle Decker 3-23-15)

The demonstration will begin at 4:30 Thursday at the former Center Street School In Oneonta, more information is available at NYSAPE.org.
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The State Assembly passed legislation to firm up laws regarding a women’s right to access health care regarding reproduction issues, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie comments:

(Heastie 3-25-15)

The bill moves onto the State Senate for consideration, similar bills have failed to gather support in the State Senate in previous sessions.
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Governor Cuomo today announced that nearly 300 restaurants across the state have taken the Pride of New York Pledge, almost tripling the number of restaurants actively supporting New York State agricultural products and beverages since last year. The Pledge is part of the Governor’s Taste NY initiative and was created to increase the sourcing, marketing and education of New York State grown and made products. More information including a list of participants is available at governor.ny.gov.
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Students in the DCMO BOCES region will have access to college courses at no cost. WCDO’s Jim Tomeo has details:

(Jim 3-25-15)

Jim’s text: A free college degree option was the topic of discussion at a parent orientation meeting held at Unatego Central School recently. The Unatego District and Tompkins Cortland Community College have teamed up & high school students will have the opportunity to take SUNY courses without cost, towards a Business Administration Associate’s Degree. A publication explaining the program is available at the DCMO BOCES website at www.learnatboces.com.
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Family Planning of South Central New York announced a new service, Long Acting Reversible Contraception, is now available at their Norwich Health Center at 5 Cortland Street. An informational forum will be offered at the Health Center on Friday, from 3:30pm to 4:30pm. The public is invited to attend and light refreshments will be served.
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A.M. NEWS:

The Sidney Chamber Of Commerce is holding their annual “New Member Coffee Hour” this morning from 7:30 to 8:30 AM.  The meeting is held at Trackside Dining at 88 Main Street, all Chamber members & directors are urged to attend.