Representative Louise Slaughter says she wants Congress to re-enact a federal assault weapons ban. Discussion about the legality and availability of rapid-fire weapons has spiked following the tragic shooting of 20 children and six adults at a Connecticut elementary school last Friday. Police and media reports say that the shooter, identified as Adam Lanza, used […]
Jeremy Moule
Covers county government and whatever else comes my way. Greyhound dad; vegetarian; attempted photographer with a love for film and fixer; sometimes cyclist.
Posted inNews & Opinion
Last Senate race decided, for now
It appears that the State Senate will, once again, operate with perilously thin margins. A state judge has decided on the last unresolved Senate contest from the November elections. The judge ruled that Republican George Amedore beat Democrat Cecilia Tkaczyk in a district stretching from Montgomery County to Ultser County, with final counts placing him […]
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Geraci confirmed as federal judge
The Senate has confirmed Frank Geraci as the new US District Court judge for the Western District of New York. Geraci has served as a County Court judge and acting state Supreme Court judge since 1999; judges often serve both roles in the state’s court system. Senator Chuck Schumer recommended Geraci for the judge position […]
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A pre-session push for campaign finance reform
Ted O’Brien isn’t seated in the State Senate yet, but he’s
already joining fellow Democrats calling for campaign finance reform.
Specifically, he’s backing Governor Andrew Cuomo’s proposal, which is essentially a conceptual plan that includes public financing of campaigns.
Posted inNews & Opinion
Legislature approves borrowing for MCC campus
A measure that’ll allow the county to borrow $28 million so Monroe Community College can buy and build a permanent city campus had no trouble passing during last night’s County Legislature meeting. Just before midnight, the 29 legislators unanimously approved a bonding package that included the MCC funding. The bond resolution, however, does not commit […]
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Legislators approve 2013 county budget
Last night, after several hours of discussion, county legislators passed a 2013 budget that was unaltered from County Executive Maggie Brooks’ proposal. In short: the property tax rate will remain at $8.99 per $1,000 assessed value, suburban residents will pay a new chargeback to cover the cost of county snowplowing contracts, and another new chargeback […]
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What about the bikes?
A group of bicycling advocates wants to know why a State Department of Transportation planning document does not include investment in cycling and pedestrian projects. The document emphasizes several other transportation modes, says Brian Kehoe, executive director of the New York Bicycling Coalition, and he’d like to see sections devoted to bicycling and pedestrian infrastructure, […]
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O’Brien to join Dems
Incoming State Senator Ted O’Brien says he’ll conference with Democrats, not the Independent Democratic Conference, when he heads to Albany in January. | “I feel an obligation to conference with the Democrats when I’m elected as a Democrat,” O’Brien said during a phone interview last week. | He said he’s had collegial conversations with IDC […]
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A crisis for youth in crisis
The Hillside Family of Agencies stopped providing emergency housing for homeless and runaway youth earlier this year. The shelter, which operated since the 1970’s, has seen a considerate drop in state funding over the last several years. Hillside received $107,437 in runaway and homeless youth program funding from the state in 2008, and $29,150 in […]
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Economic development awards coming up
On December 19, the state will announce this year’s funding awards for the regional economic development councils, reports The Business Review, an Albany-area publication. The awards will be announced by Governor Andrew Cuomo and Maria Bartiromo, the host of CNBC’s “Closing Bell,” The Business Review reports. The 10 regional economic development councils are competing for […]
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Rochester train station closer to construction
Construction of a new Rochester train station will start sometime in 2013, says State Department of Transportation Commissioner Joan McDonald. The project, which the state is managing, has received $26.5 million in funding commitments from the federal, state, and city governments. And during a press conference this morning, an Amtrak official announced that the rail […]
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O’Brien says he’ll conference with Dems
Soon-to-be State Senator Ted O’Brien says he’ll conference with Democrats, not the Independent Democratic Conference when he heads to Albany in January. “I feel an obligation to conference with the Democrats when I’m elected as a Democrat,” O’Brien said during a phone interview this afternoon. He said he’s had collegial conversations with IDC members Jeff […]
