The Peru Gazette

Funding Will Further Fuel New York’s Research Excellence; Brings Governor’s Total Investment in Higher Education Research Under Her Leadership to $1.34 Billion

Sept. 17, 2025 Gov. Hochul News Release: Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $300 million to establish the Quantum Research and Innovation Hub at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, further catapulting New York’s national leadership in groundbreaking research that saves lives, grows the economy and improves national security. 

“At a time when national investment in research and innovation is at risk, New York State is doubling down and SUNY is on the move,” Governor Hochul said. “The State University of New York at Stony Brook is a research powerhouse and will now be able to reach new heights in quantum. We know that to provide our state and nation with a brighter future, we need to invest today, and that is what New York is committed to do.”

Reversing years of disinvestment, since Governor Hochul took office in 2021, the State University of New York at Stony Brook has received $73 million in additional Direct State Tax Support operating aid and $969 million in additional State capital commitments (including the $300 million for the Quantum Research and Innovation Hub). In addition to increased operating aid, Stony Brook has also received $12 million to support new full-time faculty, $8 million to fully close the “TAP gap,” and access to the State’s $500 million endowment match. The latter provides a $1.00 in Direct State Tax Support for every $2.00 raised by philanthropic activity at the University Centers. Read more »

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Greenfield’s co-founder, Ben Cohen shared a statement on social media announcing his partner’s departure.

Click here for he MYNBC5 story 

Click here for the MYNBC5 story 

Stewart’s News Release, September 16, 2025 —Stewart’s Shops Eggnog and Strawberry Milk won 1st place in the 2025 World Dairy Expo in Wisconsin.

All counted, Stewart’s won 17 awards at North America’s best dairy products competition, including 1st place for Rainbow Sherbet, Pistachio Gelato and Lactose-Free Milk.

This year’s competition marked the second time in three years that Stewart’s Eggnog was selected as the Best of the Best in North America.

Stewart’s also won 2nd place awards for Chocolate Ice Cream, French Vanilla Ice Cream, Maple Walnut Ice Cream, Mango Dragon Fruit Sherbet and Salty Caramel Gelato.

Stewart’s won 3rd place for Vanilla Dairy Shake Refreshers, Bark in the Dark Ice Cream, Peanut Butter Pandemonium Ice Cream, Limited-edition Dirt Cake Ice Cream, Milk Chocolate Gelato, 1% Chocolate Milk and Unsweetened French Vanilla Half & Half.

This competition is open to dairy producers across the world and serves as the only competition of its kind in North America. These awards are a testament to the skill and dedication of the 21 family farms, who supply our milk, and the partners, who are committed to producing the highest quality milk and ice cream at our plant in Greenfield, New York.

Founded in 1945, Stewart’s Shops is an employee and family-owned convenience store chain based in Saratoga County, NY. Stewart’s is known for offering milk, ice cream, coffee, food to go, gasoline, and other convenience items. Today, there are over 400 Stewart’s Shops in New York, Vermont and New Hampshire.

The Beekmantown Central School District announced its decision to place a staff member on leave following complaints from families about social posts reacting to the Utah shooting.

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“…mums offer our Adirondack ecosystems and the insects that depend on late-season
blooms about as much sustenance as a garden statue. “

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UVM Health Network, the parent company of the state’s largest hospital, is “physically and spiritually distant” from its mission and from Vermonters’ needs, said the chair of the Green Mountain Care Board.

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By John T Ryan (I do not have a video of this meeting because of a camera failure.) 

At the Peru Town Board meeting on September 8, Clinton County District Attorney Andrew Wylie addressed an incident that occurred on September 2 in the Peru Town Court. A defendant with a history of mental health issues failed to comply with Judge Jim Kirby’s order to undergo a mental evaluation. Upon reappearance in court, Judge Kirby mentioned the possibility of committing the individual to the Clinton County Jail for evaluation. The defendant reacted becoming disruptive to the extent that the assistant district attorney, who was six and a half months pregnant, expressed serious concern for her safety.

Wylie also recounted a recent suicide attempt in Chazy Town Court, where a defendant brandished a razor blade and cut his wrist. He summarized the situation by saying, “With the mental health and drug issues we have in our community, there’s a lot more opportunity for violence in our town courts. The judges have no means of protecting themselves.” Wylie is worried that his staff members may resign rather than appear in certain town courts.

Currently, the courts in Plattsburgh, Beekmantown, and Clinton have security measures in place. Wylie believes it is time for Peru to consider adding security, especially since it has the second-highest town caseload in the country. Peru Town Justice Scott Thurber agreed, stating, “I’m very concerned about the safety of attorneys and court staff.” Wylie estimated that security would cost between $100 and $200 an hour, but he is uncertain if the Sheriff’s Department can provide the necessary personnel. In response, the board agreed to ask the Sheriff’s Department for court coverage, and Wylie suggested that hiring a retired police officer could be an alternative.

In a more positive development, Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell reported that NYSEG might be able to continue supplying power to its customers during the culvert installation process on Telegraph Road. He expects a decision from NYSEG by the end of September.

The board passed a local law allowing it to propose exceeding the 2026 tax cap if necessary. No members of the public attended the 5:45 p.m. public hearing that preceded the board meeting.

Given the number and cost of the wastewater treatment plant and culvert replacement projects, the board voted to engage an audit firm to oversee the financial aspects of these projects. Supervisor Craig Randall commented that this decision is prudent, as the town may spend between $45 million and $50 million on these initiatives.

In other actions, the board accepted the resignation of Code Enforcement Officer Robert Guynup, effective September 30, with his last day in the office being September 22.

The meeting then adjourned to executive session to discuss a personnel issue.

Event at a glance

• What: Comedy Night benefiting Autism Alliance of Northeastern NY
• Headliner: Ray Harrington (with a Vermont Comedy Club-curated lineup)
• When: Thursday, Sept 18, 7:00 PM
• Where: Strand Center for the Arts, Plattsburgh, NY
• Why: Funds raised support resources, connection, and advocacy for our local autism community

A new report by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli analyzed the federal tax provisions enacted under Public Law No: 119-21 at the beginning of July and how they may impact New Yorkers. While the bill made permanent many tax changes included in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), it includes new tax breaks for seniors and the working class that are largely temporary, according to DiNapoli’s report. These minimal tax benefits, along with the significant cuts in safety net spending included in the legislation, will put a larger burden on New Yorkers trying to make ends meet.

“Many of the tax benefits in the federal legislation passed in Washington this summer will continue to go to those with higher incomes,” DiNapoli said. “This was a lost opportunity to improve the tax code; instead, the new federal law adds complexity and creates inequities. Low-and middle-income New Yorkers will see few long-term benefits while bearing most of the burden of the bill’s significant spending cuts to vital programs.”

Summary

The TCJA included provisions, such as a higher standard deduction and increased child tax credit, that alleviated the federal tax burden for many New Yorkers. The new federal law permanently extended and enhanced many of these provisions.

The Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) estimates that under the new law, over one-third of the net tax reductions in calendar year 2027 will be for those with incomes over $500,000, more than 10 percentage points higher than under the TCJA. The JCT also estimates that the enacted changes will reduce federal revenues by more than $5.1 trillion over the next ten years, which may adversely impact the distribution of vital federal funds to states and localities.

The newly enacted provisions reportedly aimed at helping working class Americans are temporary and limited in scope. New deductions for seniors, tip income, overtime pay, and interest on new car loans are in effect only for tax years 2025 to 2028, and limited to taxpayers with Social Security numbers.

These deductions target a small portion of the population or treat taxpayers with similar wages or even in the same business unequally. For example, approximately 6% of the jobs in New York are in occupations, such as wait staff, bartenders, personal care workers, delivery drivers and hotel staff, that regularly and customarily receive tips. As a result, parking lot and coat room attendants, who will benefit from the deduction for tipped income, could potentially have their federal tax burden eliminated while childcare workers and home health aides who generally do not receive tips will not.

In 2031, when these temporary provisions expire, JCT estimates those with incomes of less than $30,000 will see their federal tax liability increase.

SALT Deduction Lifted Temporarily

The new federal law permanently limits the itemized deduction for state and local taxes (SALT) paid to $10,000. For tax year 2025, the limit is increased to $40,000 for taxpayers with incomes up to $500,000; the limit and income threshold are further increased by 1% annually in tax years 2026 to 2029. In 2030, the limit reverts to $10,000 for all filers.

In tax year 2023, more than 1.5 million New York residents itemized deductions and included deductions for state and local taxes paid under the State personal income tax; 76% reported tax payments in excess of the $10,000 federal cap. Of these taxpayers, nearly all with incomes under $100,000 will be able to fully deduct their SALT payments under the temporary, higher limit, and over 87% of those with incomes between $100,000 and $500,000 will as well. However, for over 445,000 of these filers, the higher federal standard deduction will likely provide a larger tax benefit.

Child Tax Credit Changes

Taxpayers with children will also see limited relief from the increase in the child tax credit to $2,200 per child starting in tax year 2025. The credit will also be indexed to inflation after 2025. There is also a refundable portion of the tax credit, which was reduced under the new law and will no longer be indexed to inflation, reducing the benefit for lower income taxpayers. In tax year 2022, nearly 2.1 million New York taxpayers claimed $6.1 billion in federal child tax credits, $1.8 billion of which was refundable.

For taxpayers who pay for childcare, the nonrefundable credit as a share of these expenses was increased for those with incomes less than $105,000. However, the maximum amount of expenses eligible for the credit remains unchanged at $3,000 for one child and $6,000 for two or more, failing to address the rising cost of childcare for most families. The average cost of childcare for one child in New York in 2023 was nearly five times the $3,000 cap allowed for the credit. In tax year 2023, nearly 310,000 resident New York taxpayers claimed the federal child and dependent care credit, just 3.3% of total filers, the largest number of claimants were those with incomes over $105,000.

Decoupling Question

With the passage of the TCJA, the state chose to decouple the tax law from many of the provisions that impact either New York taxpayers or tax collections. As a result, provisions in the new federal law that made policies in the TCJA permanent are not expected to have a revenue impact. However, if the state does not pass legislation to decouple those provisions that were not included as part of the TCJA, it could affect New York collections as early as State Fiscal Year 2026-27 when taxpayers file their annual tax year 2025 returns.

These provisions include the new “above-the-line” deductions for overtime pay, tip income, and interest on new car loans. While the change in the child tax credit is not expected to impact New York’s tax collections because of previous legislation that de-coupled it from federal provisions, the child and dependent care credit is calculated as a percentage of the federal credit which could cause a decline in state revenues.

Report

Tax Provisions Under the Federal Reconciliation Bill

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that a special election to fill the vacancy in the 115th Assembly District created by the resignation of Billy Jones will be held on Tuesday, November 4, to coincide with the general election. Governor Hochul issued the proclamation on September 15pursuant to the Public Officers Law.

“To ensure residents of the 115th District have representation in the State Assembly, there will be a special election on Tuesday, November 4, coinciding with the general election, to fill the seat vacated by Assemblyman Billy Jones,” Governor Hochul said. “Assemblyman Jones served the people of the 115th District with distinction, and we wish him well in his next chapter. I look forward to working with his successor.”

The Ticonderoga will be repaired and replaced in parts. It will be preserved in spirit even as many of the original materials waste away.

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Peru Gazette 2016 file photo

The Town of Peru Water & Sewer Department announces that we will be closing School Street from Route 22B (Pleasant Street) to Jenkins Street on Tuesday, September  16^th & Wednesday, September 17^th   from 7.30 am til 3 pm for a sewer line replacement.

There will be NO through traffic including Emergency vehicles during that time period.

Click here for the NCPR story 

Click here for the NCPR story 

Today, Empire Report published an op-ed by Governor Kathy Hochul about the alarming rise of political violence in America—and the responsibility we all have to to stop it. Text of the op-ed can be viewed online and is available below:

An assassination attempt on President Trump.

The assassination of Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and the shooting of State Senator John Hoffman.

A plot to kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer and a firebombing at the home of Governor Josh Shapiro.

The violent attack on our Capitol on January 6.

And now, the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

These are not isolated incidents. They are part of a disturbing and increasingly common pattern of political violence. And unless we take action, it won’t stop here.

Over the course of the past few days we’ve rightfully seen leaders from both sides of the aisle forcefully condemn the horrific violence that bore out in Utah on Wednesday. But we’ve also watched voices declare war on their fellow Americans and fan the flames of anger, no doubt contributing to the ensuing rise in swatting threats across the country at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and political offices.

All of us as Americans, but especially those in positions of leadership, must grapple with the fact that we allowed ourselves to reach a place where a growing number of people believe that using violence against those we disagree with is acceptable.

In an age defined by viral rhetoric and algorithmic amplification, the line between speech and violence has become increasingly blurred. Social media algorithms reward provocative, emotionally charged content. And as a result, extremist narratives are shared, liked, and recommended — not because they are truthful, but because they drive engagement.

And then here we are — in a feedback loop, where extreme language spreads, often unchecked, and someone eventually pulls the trigger.

What makes this pattern especially insidious is its built-in deniability. Because we often describe the perpetrators of these heinous acts as “lone wolves,” those whose rhetoric radicalized or mobilized them to violence can claim they can’t be blamed for actions they did not directly command. This shields the radicalizer from responsibility, even as the violence catalyzed by their language becomes more and more frequent.

Some will argue that this is an attack on free speech. I call B.S. The First Amendment protects citizens from government censorship, but it does not shield those of us in the public spotlight from accountability. Freedom of expression should not become a smokescreen for promoting hate or encouraging violence.

We must move beyond the fiction that speech exists in a vacuum. When influential voices frame opponents as less than human, they create the conditions in which violence becomes justifiable.

At this point however, identifying the pattern is not enough.

First, leaders must commit to toning down their rhetoric, and everyday Americans must hold us all accountable. There should be consequences at the ballot box and in the court of public opinion when we don’t.

Second, we must take real steps to try to help those who may be on the path towards violence, to turn around and walk the opposite direction.

During my first year in office, my hometown of Buffalo was rocked by the racially motivated murder of 10 Black New Yorkers who were targeted simply because of the color of their skin. In the wake of that tragedy, I knew that the only way we could possibly stop these horrors was to reduce the chances an unstable violent individual could possess a weapon by increasing our red flag laws, ensure law enforcement had the tools they need to monitor online threats, and embrace a prevention model that leverages comprehensive, multidisciplinary interventions to stop violence.

In New York, this approach is embodied by the creation of local Threat Assessment and Management (TAM) teams. They can include law enforcement, mental health professionals, school officials, large employers, the public safety net, and health care systems. Together, they assemble the puzzle pieces to identify behaviors that can ultimately lead to violence.

52 counties plus New York City now field TAM teams and have collectively intervened in more than 2,000 cases. Considering the rage and vitriol that is flooding the internet and airwaves, our objective is to prevent violence before it occurs — responding after the fact isn’t enough.

This week I stood on sacred ground to honor the lives of those lost 24 years ago on 9/11. I thought about what happened on September 12, 2001, when — in the face of unspeakable horror — our nation’s greatest strength was its unity.

I urge New Yorkers and Americans to harken back to that same sense of unifying purpose. Political violence has no place in America. A democracy thrives on debate, not bloodshed.

As broken as our nation can feel at times like this, I still believe to my core that the ties that bind us are much stronger than the forces that seek to tear us apart. Most of us, no matter where we fall on the political spectrum, have the same dreams: a safe place for our kids, our work, to have fun, and to live with a sense of purpose and dignity. That’s the America I hold in my heart, and I believe it should exist in everyone’s heart.

So in this moment, let us come together and resolve to forge a safer, more tolerant world, not just for today, for our children and our grandchildren. We have work to do, but as always, New Yorkers and Americans are up for the challenge.

The St. Augustine’s Community Meal will not be served this weekend because of Applefest preparations. We hope everyone enjoys the 2025 Applefest. Volunteers have been planning it for months. On Saturday, September 20, 2025 their hard work and our community will be on display.

In Chittenden County, the median sale price of a primary home reached $500,000 last year.

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Dr. Mark P. Richard, Professor of History and Canadian Studies, SUNY Plattsburgh

6:30 pm, Thursday, September 25, 2025

Clinton County Historical Association, 98 Ohio Road, Plattsburgh

Plattsburgh’s French-Canadian roots date back to the explorations of Samuel de Champlain in the early 1600s. But French speakers formed their own community in Plattsburgh largely in the mid-1800s. The existing scholarship on French-Canadian immigration in the United States has focused on industrial centers in New England, such as Manchester, New Hampshire, and Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Few studies have examined French-Canadian migration to New York State. This presentation will examine the migration of French Canadians to Plattsburgh, New York, as a community study. It will particularly explore their cooperation with Irish immigrants in creating a Catholic community in the Québec-New York borderlands region in the 1850s and 1860s. Drawing upon religious archives in Canada and the United States, U.S. census records, Plattsburgh parish and local history collections, this presentation will consider the role of men and women religious, such as the Oblate priests and the Sisters of Charity, in forging inter-ethnic cooperation in Plattsburgh in the mid-nineteenth century, as French Canadians formed a community of their own.  

Programs start at 6:30 pm with ground floor access to an elevator at the rear of the building.

Sept. 12, 2025 – Plattsburgh, NY — Michael S. Cashman, candidate for the New York State Assembly in the 115th District, is calling on state leaders and NYSERDA to provide meaningful, in-person outreach to the North Country as New York develops its 15-year clean energy transition plan.

“The North Country deserves as much attention as any other region in this state,” said Cashman. “We already face significant challenges with limited infrastructure. Many of our rural communities still lack corner-to-corner broadband, our transportation systems are strained, and our energy delivery networks need investment. Simply offering virtual meetings is not a solution for a region where too many people don’t even have reliable internet access.”

Cashman emphasized that his campaign is about people, not politics. “I have said it before and I’ll say it again: I have and will work with folks of all political stripes for common-sense solutions. I agree with Assemblyman Matt Simpson’s call for more direct engagement, and I am proud to have the support of leaders across the political spectrum, including Assemblyman Billy Jones and former Assemblywoman Janet Duprey. They know, as I do, that working together is essential to ensuring the North Country is heard. I am not going to be shy about making sure our communities in Essex,  Franklin and Clinton County are heard.”

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