The Peru Gazette

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay) announced that the Assembly’s 2017-18 state budget proposal helps grow the economy, gives North Country communities the resources they need and invests in vital agriculture programs. “During my recent district tour, North Country residents voiced their concerns with many of the governor’s proposals and local officials made it clear that a […]

LITTLE, SENATE COLLEAGUES ADVANCE BUDGET PROCESS Propose tax relief, increased school aid and clean water funds Senator Betty Little today voted in favor of a budget resolution that outlines the State Senate’s response to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s executive budget and keeps the Legislature on course for adoption of an on-time budget. The Senate proposal calls […]

Office Returned a Nationwide Record of $452 million in SFY 2015-16 *B-roll video available* New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today announced that his office has over $14.5 billion in unclaimed funds and urged New Yorkers to see if any of it belongs to them. In State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2015-16, DiNapoli’s office set […]

Despite Four Fatalities, DEC Records Lowest Number of Hunting-Related Shooting Incidents on Record The State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today that the 2016 hunting season in New York had only 13 hunting-related shooting incidents, the lowest number on record since DEC began compiling hunting-related shooting statistics in 1958. “Hunting is a proud tradition […]

From the office of NYS Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli The state Department of Health (DOH) could have saved the Medicaid program as much as $146 million over a six-year period if it had helped Medicaid patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) who meet certain eligibility requirements get the Medicare benefits to which they are entitled, […]

BEWARE Peru and possibly regional electric and gas users. A VERY high pressure representative of Just Energy, an Energy Service Company (ESCO), is in town trying to sign people up to very high fixed green energy electric and gas rates. Personal opinion: DO NOT sign-up without extensive research. I called the NYS Public Service Commission. They […]

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay) announced that legislation he co-sponsored, to reform the state’s School Tax Relief (STAR) program to fix changes made in last years’ budget and remove barriers to prompt tax relief (A.5969) has passed the assembly. “The changes made last year hurt middle-class families the most,” said Jones. “Homeowners in the North Country […]

By John T. Ryan Peru – Oftentimes the most interesting part of a Peru Town Board meeting comes up under “Other Business” when Counselor Brandy McDonald reports on what’s going on in and about town. At the Monday, February 13th meeting his subject was coyotes. McDonald reported that about seventy coyotes have been shot in […]

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli issued a report today detailing regional trends in education funding, enrollment and conditions across the state. The report analyzes school district financial and demographic information from nine separate regions outside of New York City. “Investments in New York’s public schools are vital at both the state and local […]

Empire State Development today announced that 43 businesses will expand in or locate to New York State, partnering with colleges and universities to spur economic growth across the state. These 43 businesses have committed to create more than 640 new jobs and invest more than $15 million statewide. “From life sciences to advanced manufacturing, industrial […]

Exams set for April 7; Registration deadline is March 17 Examinations for individuals seeking a license to practice the sport of falconry, become a volunteer wildlife rehabilitator, or use leashed tracking dogs to find wounded or injured big game animals are scheduled for Friday, April 7, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) […]

Forest Ranger Actions for 2/6 – 2/12/17 New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents statewide. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations, and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured, or distressed people from New York’s backcountry. In 2016, […]

State government’s 2016 overtime queen is an information technology specialist whose extra pay nearly tripled her regular salary. Source: IT specialist was New York State’s top overtime earner in 2016 – NY Daily News

DiNapoli: Executive Budget Reduces Out-Year Gaps, Diminishes Independent Oversight Federal Funding Questions Pose Increased Risk for State The $162.2 billion Executive Budget includes proposals to address infrastructure needs while reducing out-year gaps, but shifts some spending off-budget and would expand Executive authority to reshape spending and programs without legislative input, according to a report released […]

United Way Officials and the volunteer Campaign Team meet to announce to the media that the Campaign Team raised $725,115.00 for the 2017 Campaign to help with high priority health and human service needs throughout the Adirondack Region. Pictured here at the table from left to right is Assemblyman Billy Jones, Past Campaign Chair and […]

Bear hunters in New York State took 1,539 black bears during the 2016 hunting seasons, Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced today. “New York has excellent bear habitat and vast, accessible public lands that offer exciting opportunities for bear hunting,” said Commissioner Seggos. “Black bears are thriving in New York currently, and […]

What: A public meeting of the North Country Regional Economic Development Council (NCREDC). The region is composed of Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties. Who: The NCREDC is co-chaired by Garry Douglas, President of the North Country Chamber of Commerce, and Tony Collins, President of Clarkson University. All individuals, businesses, organizations, […]

From the NYS DEC More than 50 species of trees and shrubs from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Saratoga Tree Nursery are now available to public and private landowners and schools, DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos announced today. Winter winds often cause blowing and drifting snow that can create hazardous road conditions, […]

Source: Can tiny North Hudson serve as the Adirondack Park’s gateway? | NCPR News

From the Office of State Senator Betty Little Named in honor of 13-month-old who died of drug overdose The New York State Senate today approved legislation that would require drug testing of children less than three-years-old if they are in the vicinity of a parent or legal guardian arrested on a drug charge. The bill […]

In Plattsburgh Monday, he promoted budget proposals that would benefit the North Country. Source: Governor proposes improvements, new lift, zipline for Whiteface | Local News | pressrepublican.com

The state’s tax cap law, enacted in 2011, was designed to rein in out-of-control property taxes by limiting any increase to the local property tax levy to either 2 percent or the rate of inflation, whichever is less. Increasing the tax levy is a common method of making up budget holes after state aid and […]

From the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Hunters are invited to submit recommendations to regional Waterfowl Hunter Task Forces to help set the dates of the fall 2017 duck hunting seasons for each of the state’s waterfowl hunting zones by Feb. 19, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today. DEC evaluates […]

Assemblyman Jones announces committee appointments Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay) announced he has been appointed to five Assembly standing committees including Aging, Agriculture, Economic Development, Small Business and Tourism. “I am honored to be entrusted to serve on these distinguished committees as a newly elected member,” said Jones. “Serving on these vital committees will aid in […]

Packaged with Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s executive budget proposal released on Tuesday night are school aid runs, which detail how much funding the executive proposes for each of the state’s s… Source: How much funding is Gov. Cuomo proposing for your school district? – Capitol Confidential