WAMC Northeast Report on WAMC

The looming automatic federal budget cuts - or sequestration - will trickle down to all parts of the economy.  During a meeting on business confidence, northern New York officials predicted serious consequences for some economic sectors in the region.  They are also disappointed that Congress can’t, or won’t, work to find the 2-percent cuts in the federal budget.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has released for public comment a policy designed to encourage businesses to audit themselves, and voluntarily report any problems to the DEC. The goal is prevent pollution and improve compliance with environmental laws.

The clock is ticking for health officials in Massachusetts to write regulations for medical marijuana. More than 50 people spoke at a public hearing in Holyoke on Wednesday.

People with diseases and disabilities spoke passionately about the use of medical marijuana and called for rules addressing the proper type, dosage and availability of the medicine.  Charles Papsadori has multiple sclerosis and says medical marijuana relieves the muscle spasms in his legs, but does not leave him groggy the way painkillers do.

World renowned American classical pianist Van Cliburn died this morning at his home in Fort Worth, Texas at the age of 78.

WAMC’s Patrick Donges spoke with international recording artist and WAMC classical music commentator Yehuda Hanani this afternoon for some insight into Cliburn’s death and life.

By all accounts, last week was a good week for Danica Patrick. First she won the pole position to Sunday’s main event. Then she dominated press week and avoided any kind of slip that often accompanies that intensity. And finally, she finished eighth overall in the race, entering the final lap in the top three with a legitimate chance to win. So all and all, I’d say it was a really nice week.

As New York State officials and legislators pore over Governor Andrew Cuomo’s proposed budget, State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli today released his office’s estimate of Wall Street bonuses. He says the annual forecast is in line with state and New York City budget expectations.

Cash bonuses paid to New York City securities-industry employees are forecast to rise by 8 percent, to $20 billion, for last year, driven, in part, by bonuses deferred from prior years. That’s according to DiNapoli.

Some call it Albany County's "never-ending story" - the battle that pits the County Executive against the County Legislature. 

While other New York counties have sold or privatized their nursing homes.  Albany County's Nursing Home and what to do about it has just about everyone frustrated. It's been the topic of debate - argued about for 23 years or more – with no resolution in sight.

Members of the Massachusetts Legislature have begun a series of public hearings on Governor Deval Patrick’s $34.8 billion dollar budget proposal.  A hearing, run by the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Ways and Means was held at Greenfield Community College on Tuesday. The focus of the session was on education and local aid. 

I’ve spoken often about why sequester type budget cuts threaten a weak economy and can worsen the debt. Today I want to talk about history.