When then Henrietta Supervisor Mike Yudelson announced last year that he was switching from Republican to Democrat, it was a big deal. As the town’s top elected leader and, before that, a longtime Town Board member, Yudelson was an important “get” for the Dems. County party leaders called a press conference and then-chair Joe Morelle […]
Monroe County Legislature
Brooks budget reduces funding for day care subsidies
Monroe County Maggie Brooks says she expects to take heat for decreasing county funding for day care subsidies in her 2015 budget proposal. Brooks presented the proposal tonight. As part of Brooks’s $1 billion-plus plan, the county would spend approximately $42 million on child care programs. But most of the money would come from state […]
Legislature Democrats target tax exemption
Democrats in the Monroe County Legislature say that they want a review of a state-authorized property tax exemption that benefits various businesses. The exemption doesn’t have a simple name, but is authorized through section 485-b of the state’s property tax laws. Any commercial, industrial, or retail business that invests a minimum of $10,000 into a […]
[UPDATED] Teachout pulls in impressive totals, but Cuomo wins primary
Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo has prevailed over Fordham University law professor Zephyr Teachout in today’s primary election. Cuomo pulled in 60 percent of the vote in Monroe County, to Teachout’s 37 percent; Randy Credico grabbed the remaining 3 percent. With 47 out of 62 counties reporting, Cuomo had received about 60 percent of the statewide […]
Local Dems meet Thursday to pick candidates
Thursday night will be Joe Morelle’s last convention as chair of the Monroe County Democratic Committee. Much of the meeting should be relatively straightforward. The party members will nominate candidates for State Assembly, Senate, and two local House races. None of the announced candidates appear to have potential primary challengers, so the designations should be […]
Legislator wants schools representative on COMIDA board
Over the past year or so, the Monroe County Industrial Development Agency has approved tax-incentive packages for businesses over the objections of local school district officials. Most recently, COMIDA’s board approved an incentive package for an expansion at Marketplace Mall over the objection of the Rush-Henrietta school district. In June 2012, representatives of the Greece […]
A public input session without public input
Sometimes, no news is news. Let me explain: Last night, the countyโs Charter Review Committee held a public input session at Gates Town Hall. The committee is reviewing the set of laws that spell out how county government operates and is organized. But the only substantial thing said during the meeting came from committee vice […]
WEEK AHEAD: Incentives for Hartโs, county charter discussion
At 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, the Monroe County Industrial Development Agency (COMIDA) will hold a public hearing on a tax incentive package for Hartโs Local Grocers, the new grocery store opening in downtown Rochester this spring. Hartโs will be located at 10 Winthrop Street โ in the former Craig Autometrics building โ in the cityโs East […]
Staub stays put
Larry Staub, director of the Monroe County Parks Department, won’t join the County Legislature after all. Earlier this month, Legislature President Jeff Adair appointed Staub to fill a vacant Perinton-based seat in the Legislature. But last week, Staub sent a letter to Adair declining the job and Adair appointed Perinton Republican Dorothy Styk instead. “After […]
Staub staying put in Parks Department
Monroe County Parks Department director Larry Staub won’t join the County Legislature after all. Earlier this month, Legislature President Jeff Adair appointed Staub to fill a vacant Perinton-based seat in the Legislature. Staub’s appointment was supposed to be effective today. But yesterday, Staub sent a letter to Adair declining the job and Adair withdrew the […]
Dems question makeup of Water Authority board
The Monroe County Water Authority Board has two new members. The County Legislature approved their appointments during a meeting last night. But only Lej Republicans and Democratic Legislator John Lightfoot supported the appointment of Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Allen Bernstein and Scott Nasca, who is president of a local investment firm. Democrats didn’t voice […]
[UPDATED] Warren gets credit for Costco deal
Mayor Lovely Warren has faced intense scrutiny lately over her security detail, but she now has a political win on the books, too.






