Source: Covid-19 challenges farmers in getting key flow of foreign workers | Business | buffalonews.com

Source: Voices of 1,200 people with stake in public education to be heard | Newsday

Source: As shootings rise, young offenders in Albany ‘run ragged’

Source: Capital Region has highest COVID-19 percent positives in state over weekend

Source: Staff called into Clinton Correctional Facility Saturday night

Source: City makes big gesture to honor Sen. Little | Local News | pressrepublican.com

Source: Hundreds gather in Plattsburgh in support of local law enforcement, military

Source: Health officials: Small increases in active COVID-19 cases normal, expected | Coronavirus | pressrepublican.com

Source: Sparking widespread interest in composting – – The Adirondack Almanack

Providers were told is that the funding stream to localities to pay for the services in the third quarter is dropping by 31%.  Source: Substance abuse treatment programs warn of ‘dire’ consequences from cuts | Govt-and-politics | buffalonews.com

A message from Assemblyman Billy Jones

For over 50 years, Storm Treanor has served our communities first as an ER nurse and later as a teacher and mentor to aspiring first responders. Today I am proud to announce Storm Treanor as a 2020 Woman of Distinction under the category of Health Care.

As an instructor, medical professional, and mentor, Storm Treanor provides her patients with the care and compassion they need and has inspired countless others to follow in her footsteps. Even after her retirement, she has remained heavily involved in the community by serving as the coordinator of Clinton County Emergency Services(EMS). With 50 years of experience as an emergency room registered nurse, she now shares her knowledge and skills with aspiring first responders by teaching advanced emergency medical technician (AEMT) and EMT recertification classes, as well as working as an ER preceptor for other nurses. Storm has continued her educational journey and is currently a student studying to teach the AEMT bridge course to paramedics in the future.

Along with dedicating her time to teaching, Storm works as a critical care EMT at Morrisonville EMS. She is also involved in the Mountain Lakes Regional EMS Council (REMSCO), which helps improve the delivery of pre-hospital EMS, as well as the Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH) and University of Vermont Medical Center (UVM) outreach program, a critical part of the trauma response system. Storm truly embodies what it means to be selfless and continues to go above and beyond to make a positive difference in every life she touches.

Congratulations Storm!

Dear Families,

Future Pick-Up Dates are scheduled for: Thursday, July 16th, 23rd, 30th and August 6th, 2020

Source: Farmer’s market coupons available | Coronavirus | pressrepublican.com

Source: City & State Coronavirus Update

From the office of Congresswoman Elise Stefanik

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has announced that following her advocacy, USDA published new rules for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) yesterday that now make apple and select specialty crop producers eligible for the funding beginning July 13th. In June, Congresswoman Stefanik led a letter along with Congressman Anthony Brindisi (NY-22) and Congressman Dan Newhouse (WA-04), requesting that apple producers be deemed eligible for CFAP funding. Following their letter, USDA has made the necessary changes to include apple producers in CFAP funding.

“The North Country is home to many apple producers who help feed our communities and boost our local economies,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “Given the market disruptions that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic, our apple and specialty crop producers deserve to be included in this important USDA program as they get back on their feet. I am proud to advocate on a bipartisan basis with my upstate New York colleagues to make this essential change, and I will continue to work on behalf of our North Country farmers.”

“Many apple growers are hanging on by their fingernails, so USDA’s decision is great news and not a moment too soon,” said USApple President and CEO Jim Bair. “Growers usually take the risks of weather and markets in stride, but the impact of COVID-19 pushed many right to the edge. We thank and congratulate USDA for this welcome news.”

Here are today’s Clinton County COVID-19 case updates.

A Heat Advisory is in effect through 7 PM today with a peak occurring between 12-7 PM. Stay cool while staying safe. Continue to wear face coverings, be mindful about maintaining a physical distance of 6 feet from others, and wash your hands frequently.

*Clinton County’s next COVID-19 case updates will be on Monday, July 13.

“There have recently been instances of blatant acts of racism and hatred right here in the North Country, and it cannot and will not be tolerated. It is most concerning that one of our very own diversity officers feels threatened and unsafe in her own community and this is quite simply unacceptable. I have personally reached out to her and I have encouraged other officials to reach out to her to express support and encouragement. No individual has the right to use racial slurs against another human being, whether in the form of graffiti or hostile acts and language. What these incidents in Plattsburgh and Saranac Lake have taught us is that racism exists everywhere and is not unique to one area. This was also exemplified by a local student’s compelling graduation speech regarding her trials and tribulations dealing with bigotry in her young life and I commend her for speaking up about her experiences. I look forward to continuing my work with the LINC steering committee to address racism in our community and stop bigotry in its’ tracks.”

From the office of NYS Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli

Federal Aid Needed to Cushion the Blow as Revenues Drop

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected many local governments’ revenues and its impact will likely be severe for many municipalities’ finances, according to a report released today by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

As sales tax revenues fall by double-digits and state aid is reduced or delayed, DiNapoli called on the federal government to provide aid to local governments before drastic service cuts occur.

“Local governments are under extreme fiscal pressure. Costs for fighting the pandemic are adding up while revenues are rapidly falling,” DiNapoli said. “In this year’s state budget, aid to local governments was flat and now the state has withheld some aid. Local governments can only tighten their belts so far. They need federal aid and they need it now.”

Federal aid is typically only a minor component of local government revenues in New York — about 5 percent of total revenues in 2018, excluding New York City. In extraordinary circumstances, the federal government has stepped in with financial assistance to help states and local governments weather difficult times. Between 2008 and 2010, in response to the Great Recession, federal aid to local governments in New York increased by nearly 60 percent and was critical in shoring up local finances.

The report notes that sales taxes are one of the most important sources of revenue for many of New York’s local governments and are directly affected by the economic pause and social distancing measures implemented to control COVID-19. Sales tax collections for local governments in May fell 32.3 percent from last year. From March through May 2020, local governments have received $824 million, or 19.2 percent less, in sales taxes than they did during that same period in 2019.

Another risk to local revenues is the flow of state aid. The state budget director withheld 20 percent of May and June Aid and Incentives for Municipalities (AIM) payments to 12 cities and 20 percent of June Video Lottery Terminal (VLT) aid payments to 15 counties, cities, towns and villages. These combined reductions totaled $75.9 million. It is not yet determined if this aid will be paid to municipalities at a later date. While property taxes provide revenue stability for local governments, the tax cap and other constraints will likely limit their use to shore up local revenues. Property taxes could also be impacted by owners not being able to make payments.

DiNapoli said his office is tracking sales taxes on a monthly basis as well as pushing for legislation that gives local governments and school districts more flexibility in repaying debt and using reserve funds for pandemic-related expenses. The legislation has passed both the Assembly and the Senate and is awaiting action by the Governor.

FULL REPORT:

Under Pressure: Local Government Revenue Challenges During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Source: Holiday weekend brought wave of tourism | News | pressrepublican.com

Source: Rising coronavirus cases among young people worry Onondaga County officials – syracuse.com

Source: CNY person with coronavirus arrested for breaking quarantine, released due to bail reform laws – syracuse.com

Source: At least 16 sick after coronavirus exposure at DeWitt in-home day care: ‘Take this seriously … stay home if sick at all’ – syracuse.com