The Peru Gazette

From the office of Congresswoman Elise Stefanik

Washington, D.C.  – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has announced that she will vote in favor of House passage of the 4^th major legislative phase of Congress’ emergency coronavirus response later this afternoon. This most recent package will provide economic relief to small businesses, individuals, and families across the North Country.

“Throughout the past several months, I have consistently advocated for direct federal support for our hospitals and community health centers, small businesses, farmers, schools, individuals and families who have faced significant challenges in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “I have spoken with countless local elected officials, community leaders, and constituents to identify their specific needs and raise their issues at the federal level. As a result, this package that I will vote in favor of today prioritizes small businesses and families who need relief. After months of long negotiations, and Speaker Pelosi repeatedly refusing to come to the negotiating table, these important legislative results should have happened months ago. I remain focused on delivering results to the North Country that address this public health crisis and fuel a strong economic recovery.”

Specifically, the bill provides:

Support for Small Businesses

• $325 billion for small businesses, extending the Paycheck Protection Program and allowing small businesses to deduct expenses
  • $284.5 billion for PPP while providing a second round of PPP loans for the hardest-hit small businesses
  • Makes 501(c)(6) organizations, including local Chambers and destination marketing organizations, eligible for PPP
  • Creates a simplified PPP loan forgiveness application for loans under $150,000
  • Ensures borrowers will not have to deduct their EIDL Advance from their PPP loan forgiveness amount
  • $15 billion for live venues, movie theaters, and museums that are experiencing significant revenue loss, modeled after the Save our Stages legislation
  • $20 billion for new EIDL grants
  • Allows existing EIDL Advance grantees who received less than $10,000 to reapply for the difference between what they received and he maximum grant of $10,000

Direct Payments to Individuals and Families 

• $600 direct payments to the American people and $600 per dependent child, with the payments phasing out for individuals who make over $75,000 and couples making over $150,000
• Similar to the first round of payments, the vast majority of Americans will receive their payments automatically with the IRS basing payments on 2019 tax returns

Support for Vaccine Distribution and Other Healthcare Items 

• $68 billion for procurement and distribution of COVID-19 vaccine, testing and tracing, and mental health funding including:
  • $20 billion for purchase of vaccines that will make the vaccine available at no charge for anyone who needs it
  • $8 billion for vaccine distribution
  • $20 billion to assist states with testing
  • $20 billion distribution from existing provider relief fund
• Includes a version of Congresswoman Stefanik’s Opioid Workforce Act to provide 1,000 new residency positions at teaching hospitals to promote physician-focused partnerships between rural and urban hospitals
• Protects patients from surprise medical bills while enhancing price transparency for medical services

Funding for Schools

• $82 billion for local school districts and higher education institutions to assist with safely restoring and continuing in-person learning.
  • $54.3 billion for K-12 schools through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund, which will be allocated to states and local school districts based on Title I allocations
  • $22.7 billion for post-secondary institutions and students through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, to be distributed largely based on both an institution’s FTE and total Pell Grant recipients
  • $2.75 billion in separate funding designated for private K-12 schools

Assistance for Working Families

• $10 billion for child care assistance to working families and support for child care providers as they safely reopen and operate through the pandemic
• Temporarily increases SNAP benefits by 15% for six months while providing additional funding for Older Americans Act home-delivered meals for seniors, addressing pandemic-related food insecurity
• Includes Congresswoman Stefanik’s COVID-19 WIC Safety and Modernization Act, which will modernize the Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) supplemental nutrition program and address issues of accessibility caused by the pandemic.
• Tax relief for small businesses and working families through an expansion of the Employee Retention Tax Credit, an extension of the FFCRA paid leave tax credits, and provisions to preserve the Earned Income and Child Tax Credit for families financially impacted by the pandemic
• Extends Unemployment Insurance eligibility, including the PUA coverage for gig workers and the self-employed, with an added $300 per week through March 14, 2021
• $25 billion for emergency rental assistance targeted to struggling families and an extension of the CDC eviction moratorium through January 31, 2021

Support for Farmers and Ag Businesses

• $13 billion in direct payments to farmers to help cover pandemic-induced losses
• Additional funding directed to programs that support local producers including new and beginning farmers, dairy producers, dairy processors via reimbursement for donated dairy products, small and medium-size meat producers, and state departments of agriculture

Funding for Infrastructure Needs 

• $45 billion for Transportation funding, including direct support to the motorcoach sector and MTA
• $7 billion in broadband funding, including:
  • Nearly $2 billion to replace foreign manufactured broadband equipment that poses national security threats
  • $3.2 billion for an FCC initiative to connect low-income Americans
  • $300 million to build out rural broadband
  • $250 million for the FCC telehealth grant program
  • Fully funds the Broadband DATA Act to improve FCC maps and precisely target areas that lack broadband access

Check the Congresswoman’s website here for a comprehensive overview of the package and for regular COVID-19 updates.

Source: Watertown Correctional one of three prisons to close statewide in 2021 | Jefferson County | nny360.com

According to state data, the prison in Watertown has more than 300 full-time prison workers, while more than 200 officers work at the annex in Dannemora, according to NYSCOPBA, the union representing corrections officers.Source: NEW: Two North Country prison facilities to close by spring | NCPR News

Source: City & State Coronavirus Update

Source: Governor Cuomo Announces Closure of Additional Prisons Following Record Declines in Incarceration and Crime Rates | Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

Washington, D.C.  – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has released the below statement following Governor Cuomo’s decision to close the Watertown Correctional Facility and the Clinton Annex:

“In his latest misguided attempt to weaken our law enforcement and make New York less safe, Governor Cuomo is pulling the rug out from our correction officers, their families, and our North Country communities after an already challenging year,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “First, the Governor passed harmful bail reform laws that released violent criminals back onto the streets causing the crime rates across our state to skyrocket. Instead of listening to our corrections officers and law enforcement leaders, Governor Cuomo has repeatedly ignored their concerns regarding the spread of COVID through our prisons and only relented after widespread bipartisan outcry. Now, he is taking it a step further in deciding to permanently close these two critical facilities that have the capacity to distance prisoners and staff and lower the risk of COVID-19 exposure. I am deeply opposed to the Governor’s proposed closures. Our brave correction officers are an essential part of our Upstate law enforcement community. The timing of this announcement could not be worse right before the holidays and as crime rates in the state are on the rise and COVID-19 continues to spread throughout our prisons. Our correction officers have risked their health and personal safety throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. I am now calling on the Governor to immediately reverse this action and keep our corrections officers, their families, and our communities safe by keeping these essential facilities open.”

Source: NYS to close Clinton Correctional Facility Annex | Sun Community News DANNEMORA | After decades of operation, the Clinton Correctional Facility Annex will be closed per New York State in spring 2021.

An official with the union for corrections officers told CNHI the facilities are Gowanda, the Clinton Correctional Facility Annex in Dannemora and the Watertown Correctional Facility.

Source: Three state prisons said to be tabbed for closure | Local News | pressrepublican.com

Source: Hollywood is Back: Local Funeral Home Owners revamp small Movie Theater | Local 22/44 News

Source: DiNapoli: SED Oversight of Career Training Programs Falling Short | Office of the New York State Comptroller

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) announced that two North Country students – James Molinski and Taylor Samburgh – are among a select group of New York nominees for the U.S. Presidential Scholars awards. Since it was established in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program recognizes and honors high school seniors for academic, creative, career and technical accomplishments.[1]

“Despite the challenges that 2020 has presented all of us, it’s important to take time to honor exemplary North Country students for their hard work and dedication,” said Jones. “I’m thrilled that James Molinski and Taylor Samburgh, two students I nominated for these prestigious programs, were recognized for their impressive work inside and outside of the classroom. I wish these two hardworking seniors the best of luck as they continue their educational journeys.”

A senior at Northeastern Clinton Central School, James Molinski excels in the classroom despite his challenging course load and is an accomplished athlete on his school’s track and field, basketball and soccer teams. James is one of 20 New York students nominated for the 2021 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.

A senior at Saranac Central Lake School, Taylor Samburgh is one of only five students nominated for the 2021 U.S. Presidential Scholars Excellence in Career and Technical Education Program. In addition to receiving high marks in his classes, Taylor also spends his time attending the Natural Resource Science Program at the Adirondack Educational Center, where he has demonstrated an impressive level of technical competence.

Source: Congress seals agreement on COVID relief, government funding – syracuse.com

Source: Army soldier from N.Y. found shot to death in N.J., fellow soldier in custody, official says – syracuse.com

Source: Jupiter, Saturn will appear to merge in rare ‘Christmas Star’ event not seen in 800 years – syracuse.com

Key Findings “On a single night in January 2019, state and local planning agencies (Continuums of Care) reported: 567,715 people were homeless, representing an overall 2.7 percent increase from 2018 but a nearly 11 percent decline since 2010. 37,085 veterans were reported as homeless, a decline of 2.1 percent from 2018 and 50 percent since 2010. 53,692 families with children experienced homelessness last January, down nearly 5 percent from 2018 and more than 32 percent since 2010.” Key Stats:

Source: National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day: December 21, 2020

A very important story about agency incompetence and terrible parents. I hope you can read it. Source: Key details were left out of report on 1-year-old’s killing

Source: Clinton County details current state of COVID-19 oubreaks | Sun Community News PLATTSBURGH | Four people are now hospitalized with five new cases in Clinton County reported overnight, including one involving a young NCCS student. Most new cases involve a c

Source: Stec ‘excited’ for new state chapter as senator | Sun Community News ALBANY | While newly elected as a state senator, Dan Stec (R-Queensbury) comes into office with plenty of state experience.

Just 10 years ago North Country Home Services (NCHS), the only home health care staffing agency in the  Adirondack region, had about 350 aides on its payroll. Today they are down to just 200. This means  many seniors are not getting the care they need.

Source: Adirondack Communities: Developing Support Networks for an Aging Population  – – The Adirondack Almanack

Source: Sen. Betty Little reflects on three decades in North Country politics | NCPR News