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The editor is John Ryan at email: perugazette@gmail.com. The Peru Gazette is a free community, education and information website. It is non-commercial and does not accept paid advertising.

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Archive for 'State Government News'

Here’s Every Bill That Kathy Hochul Vetoed in 2025

One hundred and forty laws that almost were. Click here for the New York Focus story 

New York Counties Have Received Millions From Opioid Lawsuits, But Many Won’t Say How They’ve Spent It

Click here for the New York Focus story 

DEC Announces Release of Final Adirondack Brook Trout Pond Management Plan

First Revised Plan in Nearly Half a Century will Guide Management to Ensure the Future of This Unique Fisheries Resource New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton today announced the release of the final Adirondack Brook Trout Pond Management Plan. The brook trout is New York’s state fish and an iconic […]

State Comptroller audits find many downstate school districts are not complying with lead testing requirements

School Districts – Lead in Water: Testing and Reporting (2025-MS-2) [read complete report – pdf] We also issued individual reports for the following municipalities: Bayport Blue Point Union Free School District, Chazy Union Free School District, Cheektowaga-Maryvale Union Free School District, Commack Union Free School District, DeRuyter Central School District, East Bloomfield Central School District, […]

DEC Announces More Than $22 Million for Climate Smart Communities Grant Awards

Includes $516,000 for North County Communities Albany, NYS DEC News Release of Jan. 2, 2026 – New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton today announced $22.7 million in Climate Smart Communities Grant awards for 43 projects to help municipalities take action to address climate change. This year’s funded projects reduce flood risk by […]

Governor Hochul details how much health care casts will increase for about 140,000 New Yorkers

Average Increase of Nearly $1,400 for Individuals and $3,000 for Couples Per Year Albany, NY NYS News Release of Jan. 2, 2026 – Governor Hochul today slammed Congressional Republicans for failing to extend the existing enhanced premium tax credits, which expired on December 31, 2025. Due to Washington Republicans’ failure to take action, health insurance […]

2026 kicks off with tax relief and increased wages

Middle Class Tax Cut Beginning on January 1 for More Than 8.3 Million New Yorkers Minimum Wage Increasing Statewide on January 1 Largest Child Tax Credit Expansion in New York State History Beginning in 2026 Albany, NYS News Release of Jan. 1. 2026 – With the new tax year beginning January 1, 2026, Governor Kathy […]

Return-to-office critics warned of mass resignations. So far, they haven’t happened in Vermont.

Click here for the VTDigger story 

DEC Reminds New Yorkers of Expanded Waste Reduction Laws Taking Effect January 1, 2026

Includes Expansion of New York State’s Polystyrene Foam Ban and Restrictions on Hotel Hospitality Single-Use Plastic Bottles The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is reminding businesses, organizations, and consumers of upcoming waste reduction law requirements taking effect on January 1, 2026. The provisions will help reduce pollution by expanding the State’s ban […]

SUNY fellowship helps formerly incarcerated people find jobs

See the NCPR story 

Environmental and advocacy groups call on Governor Hochul to include updates to the state bottle bill in her proposed budget

WAMC Reports 

With Tech Devices Popular as Gifts, New York State Provides Free Educational Materials Aimed at Safely Navigating the Modern Digital Landscape

NYS News Release of December 31, 2025 – Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the availability of resources aimed at educating young people, caregivers and educators on how to safely navigate digital media content in a way that protects their mental health. Developed by the state Office of Mental Health, digital wellness resources are available on […]

Recent Regional Forest Ranger Actions

NYS DEC News Release of Dec. 30, 2025 – 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 across New York State. […]

DEC Announces Another Record Breaking Year for “CleanSweepNY” Chemical Collection Program

More than 645,500 Pounds of Chemicals, Pesticides, Paint, Oil, Flammable Liquids, and Other Hazardous Materials Collected During 2025 Albany, DEC News Release of Dec. 29, 2025 – New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton today announced another record-breaking year for the CleanSweepNY program. More than 645,500 pounds of chemicals, including pesticides, […]

Governor announces results of State Police Thruway Toll Enforcement

Troopers Seized 170 Vehicles and Issued More Than 1,000 Tickets To Ensure Public Safety and Accountability 30 Individuals Owed Nearly $82,000 in Unpaid Tolls and Fees to Thruway Authority NYS News Release of Dec. 29, 2025 – Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the New York State Police Troop T, in partnership with the New York […]

Over 50 Incarcerated People Wrote to Us About Their Innocence Claims. Some Had Waited Years for a Conviction Review.

The letters paint a picture of a CIU process rife with roadblocks, especially for applicants who didn’t have lawyers. Click here for the New York Focus story 

Here’s Every Bill That Kathy Hochul Vetoed in 2025

One hundred and forty laws that almost were. Click here for the New York Focus story 

Increased local law enforcement and state police patrols during holiday travel season

Construction Closures Temporarily Suspended To Ease Holiday Travel Albany, NYS News Release, Dec. 23, 2025 – Governor Kathy Hochul today reminded New Yorkers that State Police and local law enforcement agencies are participating in an ongoing nationwide enforcement strategy to remove impaired drivers from our roads this holiday season. The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled […]

A Judge Tossed a Prison Sex Abuse Lawsuit Over Typos. Hundreds More Dismissals Could Be Coming.

The state plans to ask a court to dismiss some 500 prison sexual assault lawsuits for not strictly abiding by filing requirements. Click here for the New York Focus Story 

Hochul signs legislation to protect against harmful effects of commercial herbal product know as Kratom

Prohibits Sale of Kratom to Individuals Under the Age of 21, Imposes Civil Penalties for Violations and Requires Product Warning Label Requirements  NYS News Release of Dec. 22, 2025 – Governor Kathy Hochul today signed two pieces of landmark legislation to protect New Yorkers from the harmful effects of kratom, a commercially available herbal product sold […]

Wetland Rules Slow Solar Buildout as Developers Rush for Tax Credits

Recently adopted environmental regulations have added months to New York’s already years-long energy permitting process, colliding with new deadlines for federal subsidies. Click here for the New York Focus story 

New Conservation Easements Protect More Than 1,600 Acres in Clinton and Essex Counties

DEC News Release of December 19, 2025 – DEC recently acquired approximately 1,624 acres of conservation easement on lands in northern New York from the Open Space Institute (OSI). Approximately 1,414 acres were acquired through a conservation easement held by OSI on lands owned by Chazy Resource Management Inc. (CRMI) in Clinton County, while a […]

Governor directs flags lowered to Hal-staff to honor fallen firefighter and commissioner

Flags To Be Flown at Half-Staff Across New York State on Saturday, December 20 Governor Kathy Hochul today directed flags on all State government buildings be lowered on Saturday, December 20 from sunrise to sunset in honor of Michael Ryan, firefighter and commissioner for the Phoenicia Fire District who died in the line-of-duty on December […]

Recent DEC Environmental Conservation Police Activity

Tree Stand Fall – Washington County On November 24, ECO Krug responded to a call that went out over Washington County Fire and EMS radio regarding a 29-year-old hunter who fell from his tree stand about a mile into a wooded area in the Town of Salem. The individual, who was not wearing a safety […]

Governor Kathy Hochul today signed legislation to eliminate the “100-foot-rule” for new natural gas hookups that costs New Yorkers hundreds of millions of dollars a year.

Legislation Will Do Away With Outdated 100-Foot Rule for Natural Gas Hookups That Cost New Yorkers Hundreds of Millions of Dollars Each Year NYS News Release of December 19, 2025 – Governor Kathy Hochul today signed legislation to eliminate the “100-foot-rule” for new natural gas hookups that costs New Yorkers hundreds of millions of dollars […]