Hank Gross

ALBANY – The state has decided to hold off on issuing a decision on whether to allow hydrofracking, instead announcing that because of the complexities of the issues, they will require more time to study.

ALBANY – Over 500 people rallied in front of the Governor’s Mansion in Albany on Tuesday calling for the state to reverse its recently adopted state law imposing strict regulations on gun owners.

Hudson Valley Assemblyman Steven Katz (R-14) had an impassioned plea.

“Governor Cuomo, tear up this law,” Katz told the Second Amendment rally in West Capitol Park. Katz’s call was a clear reference to the late President Reagan’s famous demand in 1987 to then Soviet President Gorbachev concerning the Berlin Wall: “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.”

NEW CITY – Starting today, the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office and County Clerk’s Office will be distributing free firearms cable locks to county residents.

A total of 1,600 of the devices were donated to the county. Persons seeking the locks will be asked to complete a voluntary basic information form. If they chose not to, they must display visual proof of Rockland County residency.

ALBANY – Assembly woman Annie Rabbitt has posted an online petition seeking to repeal the new state gun control laws.

Rabbitt, who has family members in law enforcement, said the governor’s budget proposes $36 million to create a database of lawful gun owners in New York. “I believe there are a lot better uses for $36 million in taxpayer funds,” she said.

GOSHEN – Recently reintroduced sheriff’s deputies at the Orange-Ulster BOCES complex in Goshen have been well-received by students and staff, District Superintendent Terrence Olivo said Thursday.

The deputies were placed at the campus following the tragedy at a Newtown, Connecticut elementary school.

Olivo said the deputies have raised the comfort level in the buildings.

TOWN OF WALLKILL – One of Governor Cuomo’s proposals in his state budget would remove the power from local judges to plead down motor vehicle tickets and all monies collected would go to Albany.

As it stands now, a judge has the authority to lower the charge and part of the fine goes to the locality. And with I-84 and New York Route 17 both running through Wallkill, the town makes tens of thousands of dollars in fines yearly that are applied to the town budget.

BEACON – If the state shuts down Beacon Correctional Facility, city Mayor Randy Casale wants questions answered before he would support it.

He wants to know how the employees would be protected and how and if the city would be made whole since it sells services to the state facility.

KINGSTON – Governor Cuomo’s proposed state budget includes $2 million for the development of a rail trail from Kingston to the Ashokan Reservoir. The ultimate goal is to connect it to the Walkway Over the Hudson.

Ulster County Executive Michael Hein said they are working to create “a world class tourism destination” in the county. He said the project has “far reaching regional significance and will positively impact tourism, public health, economic development” and will allow residents and visitors from across the globe to enjoy the “pristine beauty” of Ulster County.

VALHALLA – Updated plans and costs to construct the new Tappan Zee Bridge were presented to the public Tuesday night at a forum at Mount Pleasant Town Hall in Valhalla.

Brian Conybeare, the special advisor to the governor on the bridge project, presenting updated plans and figures on the bridge, which will begin construction this year.

WHITE PLAINS – Unemployment in all counties in the region rose in December 2012 when compared to the same month in 2011, but, that is not necessarily a bad thing.

State Labor Department officials said more people have entered or re-entered the workforce, but there are not enough jobs for all of them and that has resulted in the rise in the rate of joblessness.

Analyst James Brown said the situation will likely get better as the new year progresses.