Hudson Valley News

Westchester Officials Unite To Press For Mandate Relief

Allison Dunne — Fri, 24 May 2013 12:10:00 +0000

A newly-formed coalition in New York’s Hudson Valley is seeking relief from unfunded mandates.

Governor Cuomo Takes Tax-Free NY Idea To New Paltz

Allison Dunne — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:34:16 +0000

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has taken his new tax-free plan for businesses on the road. He was in the Hudson Valley today, touting his plan to allow new businesses to operate tax-free on SUNY campuses across New York.

One day after first introducing the plan at several stops across the state, Cuomo was back at it Thursday, delivering a speech at the State University of New York at New Paltz, which would be one of the 64 SUNY campuses statewide designated as tax–free for new businesses.

He says 55 of the 64 campuses are in upstate New York.

State Audit Highly Critical Poughkeepsie’s Budgeting

Hank Gross — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:40:24 +0000

POUGHKEEPSIE – An audit of the City of Poughkeepsie’s books by the state comptroller’s office has found that inaccurate budgeting has created an $11 million general fund deficit. The report also found the city’s debt burden has increased 45 percent over the last five years.

Comptroller DiNapoli Worried About Poughkeepsie's Debt

Brian Shields — Wed, 22 May 2013 19:34:42 +0000

The city of Poughkeepsie is facing an $11 million deficit in its general fund brought on, according to New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, by unrealistic budgeting by city officials—including overestimating revenues. DiNapoli, in a new audit, says Poughkeepsie’s debt burden has gone up 45 percent over the past five years as its financial condition deteriorates.

WCC CSEA Pickets Over Lack Of Contract

Hank Gross — Wed, 22 May 2013 12:19:47 +0000

VALHALLA – Some 60 members of the Westchester Community College CSEA picketed at the Valhalla-based school late Tuesday afternoon over the lack of a new contract for four years. The union represents 300 support personnel.

Unit President Carol Ann Zavarella said county government and college administration are “playing politics” with the union members and said they are frustrated.

“It has been since 2009 that we have had a cost of living increase, we’ve had any new staff, all of our college lines vacated by early retirement have been left vacant,” Zavarella said.

Kingston Voters Okay Sofie Finn STRIVE Proposition

Hank Gross — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:46:42 +0000

KINGSTON – Voters overwhelmingly approved the sale of Sofie Finn Elementary School in Kingston to SUNY Ulster for $300,000. The school will be transformed into an urban satellite campus.

The proposition's unofficial tally was 2,784 for and 570 against.

ORMC, CRMC To Cut 140 Jobs

Hank Gross — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:22:11 +0000

TOWN OF WALLKILL – Orange Regional Medical Center in the Town of Wallkill will lay off 80 full-time equivalent positions and Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris will lay off 60 full-time equivalent positions. In total, the hospitals must find cuts of $17 million. Both hospitals fall under the umbrella of the Greater Hudson Valley Health System, which announced the cuts on Monday due to substantial reductions in reimbursement from the federal and state governments and decreases in revenue caused by healthcare reform.

Dutchess Elections Board To Register Students

Hank Gross — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:08:51 +0000

POUGHKEEPSIE – College students in Dutchess County may now vote so long as they register and need not provide specific information about which dormitory they live.

Last fall, Republican Elections Commissioner Erik Haight refused to register students if they did not list their specific college address. Democrat Commissioner Frances Knapp challenged that in court and the judge ruled they could vote.

The initial case involved student registrations from Marist, The Culinary Institute of America and Bard College.

IBEW And CHEG Negotiate New Deal

Hank Gross — Mon, 20 May 2013 12:13:15 +0000

POUGHKEEPSIE – Central Hudson and IBEW Local 320 have negotiated a new contract for utility workers, who would become employees of Fortis, Inc. should the buyout of CH Energy Group be approved by the State Public Service Commission.

State Assemblyman Kevin Cahill (D- Kingston) said it is a good deal for the workers, but the proposed purchase leaves a lot to be desired.

Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney (D- 18) is thrilled with the contract agreement.

Traffic Up On Mid-Hudson Crossings

Hank Gross — Mon, 20 May 2013 12:03:04 +0000

HIGHLAND – For the first time in six months, traffic is up on the five Hudson River crossings operated by the New York State Bridge Authority.

Over 91,000 more vehicles crossed the river in April for an increase slightly under two percent.

A total of 4.9 million vehicles traveled over the spans this past April, compared to a little more than 4.8 million during the same month last year.

Bridge Authority Executive Director Joseph Ruggiero said they need that trend to continue.