The Peru Gazette

The 60 day moratorium due to NYS Assembly campaign rules is now over! I am pleased to now be able to continue my COVID-19 newsletters to help you stay updated during this unprecedented crisis. DOH Travel Advisory Updates Governor Andrew Cuomo recently announced new guidelines allowing out-of-state travelers to New York to “test out” of the […]

Source: Early detection screenings are essential | News, Sports, Jobs – Adirondack Daily Enterprise

I. Hate. Cancer. And I hate to learn that New York State Senator, Betty Little, is battling it now. Little has represented Northern NY in the State Senate for 18 years. She’s retiring in December. Little had a cancerous lump removed from her breast. Just 3 weeks later she was back at work. Though she […]

“The recent increase in COVID-19 cases in northern correctional facilities is alarming given that there remains no guidance from the state,” said Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) “In our nursing homes and long term care facilities, the Department of Health (DOH) issued guidance indicating that one positive case by a staff member or resident, dictates […]

  “For the last several years New York state residents have been promised access to high-quality broadband access. Fast forward to the present day and that promise has still yet to be fulfilled. Reports indicate that the New York State Comptroller’s office will be conducting an audit of the state’s broadband program due to complaints […]

ALBANY — Former Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno has died at age 91. The Republican resident of suburban Troy had been battling cancer, according to the Albany Times Union. Source: Joe Bruno dies at 91

September 15, 2020. For months, I have talked about how important it is for people of all ages to wear a mask, and it has sometimes been a challenge to reach young people, especially since they may feel that the virus poses less of a direct threat to their own health than it does for […]

“For months on end, nursing home residents, their families, and staff have made immense sacrifices to keep their facilities, and the community at large, safe. While safety remains our number one priority, the impact of being unable to reunite families due to the nearly unattainable guidelines set forth by the New York State Department of […]

“Reinstating the 10 percent tariff on Canadian aluminum right in the middle of a pandemic was an ill-advised course of action. As the Co-Chair of the Canada-U.S. Committee on the Council of State Government’s East, I introduced a resolution that was unanimously passed to rescind this decision which we knew would have detrimental effects not […]

This weekend, we celebrate the dedicated men and women throughout the state and across the country who comprise our incredible workforce. It was in New York that Labor Day was first celebrated, and we continue to fight for the respect, pride and dignity of all our workers. Over the long weekend, I encourage New Yorkers […]

Newsletter This July and August, the Assembly passed legislation that will help New Yorkers during this unprecedented crisis. I combined my monthly newsletter for July and August because of my frequent COVID-19 updates. Check out my legislative efforts and community events from the past two months below. Please note that this will be my last […]

The New York State and Local Retirement System (NYSLRS) today announced employer contribution rates for the State Fiscal Year 2021-22 will increase from 14.6 percent to 16.2 percent of payroll for the Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) and from 24.4 percent to 28.3 percent of payroll for the Police and Fire Retirement System (PFRS). NYSLRS is […]

Source: Former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver heads to prison

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced today that he is issuing Executive Orders that will: Extend the “temporary illness” option to elections not administered by the Board of Elections this November. Mandate county boards send a mailing to all would-be voters notifying them of the deadlines and methods to request an absentee ballot. Directing the Board of […]

“My office continues to field dozens of phone calls and emails from concerned parents and educators regarding our regions readiness to reopen the schools. Our school districts are doing all they can to put plans in place to keep our children safe, but they need clearer guidance.  Safety remains the top priority for everyone, most […]

COVID-19 August 11 Updates DOH Travel Advisory Updates Hawaii and South Dakota were added to the list of states and territories on the Department of Health Travel Advisory list. Alaska, New Mexico, Ohio, and Rhode Island were removed from the list. For more information on the travel advisory, visit this website. To report a violation, visit […]

“The North Country entered Phase IV over a month ago and it is unacceptable that so many small businesses remain closed due to lack of guidance released from the State. Gyms and fitness centers, bowling alleys, movie theaters, attractions, and other business not yet given guidance are still closed although we have been in the […]

COVID-19 August 6 Updates DOH Travel Advisory Updates Rhode Island was added to the list of states and territories on the travel advisory list this week, and Washington D.C. and Delaware were removed. For the full guidance, visit this website. To report any violations, visit this website. Here is the current list of state and […]

COVID-19 July 30 Updates Unemployment Updates Under current federal law and US DOL guidelines, this is the last benefit week for the extra $600 Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, or FPUC, payments in New York through the federal CARES Act. This may change if Congress takes action to extend Americans’ unemployment benefits. The Department of Labor will […]

* New York’s budget crisis means funding consequences for schools, local governments and hospitals, and now that list is growing. Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Thursday that the state will postpone a $3 billion environmental bond act that was set to appear on the ballot this November for at least one year. If passed, the Restore […]

Source: Prison visits to resume | Coronavirus | pressrepublican.com

COVID-19 July 29 Updates 5 Hour Driving Course Updates Governor Andrew Cuomo announced today that DMV licensed driving schools can now conduct distance learning Pre-Licensing Courses. In order to safely meet the demand for driver training while adhering to social distancing guidelines, the State Department of Motor Vehicles has issued guidance to driving schools allowing them to […]

Source: Local lawmakers to voice support of bowling alley reopenings | Local News | pressrepublican.com

State Senator Betty Little has been appointed to serve on the board of the Olympic Regional Development Agency (ORDA).  Her nomination by Governor Andrew Cuomo was confirmed today by the State Senate. “I’ve long advocated for ORDA as a member of the Assembly and Senate,” said Little.  “To serve on the board will truly be […]

            The Randy Preston Road Salt Reduction Act (S.8663/A8767) has now passed in both the Assembly and the Senate. The bill, sponsored by Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) and Assemblyman Dan Stec (R-Queensbury), was passed unanimously by the Assembly on Monday, July 20, 2020. The Senate passed the bill yesterday with only one member voting […]