WAMC Northeast Report on WAMC

The companies involved in a proposed utility merger in the Hudson Valley have offered enhancements to the merger proposal. Opponents say they are too little, too late. The controversial merger proposal has led both sides to pound the pavement to tell their sides of the story.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has been traveling the state, promoting his plan to create tax-free business zones at college campuses.  He’s also running ads, paid for by the State Democratic Party. Now, one of the state’s largest unions is countering that effort with its own message.

Cuomo has gathered local government leaders and business groups to the Capitol to demonstrate support for his idea to create the tax free zones at public colleges, some private universities and some state owned properties.

Six public school districts in Columbia County, New York are receiving awards totaling $300,000 from a local foundation to strengthen arts and humanities programs.

The Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation recently announced that the Ellsworth Kelly Foundation is donating the money to the Arts and Humanities Funds for the Hudson, Chatham, Germantown, New Lebanon, Ichabod Crane and Taconic Hills Central School Districts.

The money is being awarded to celebrate Columbia County-based artist Ellsworth Kelly’s 90th birthday.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is traveling across the state to build support for his Tax-Free New York initiative. This morning he was at SUNY Plattsburgh.

Meteorologist Garett Argianas delivers the evening forecast for Thursday, May 30, 2013. 

One-third of Americans now reside in a state where medical marijuana is legal. Lawmakers in Albany are considering a bill that would create a state-regulated medical marijuana program allowing seriously ill patients to have access to the drug under the supervision of a healthcare practicioner. Mental health and treatment professionals participated in a conference call to discuss the issue today.

Advocates say more than 600 doctors from across the state have pledged support to end criminalizing patients who use medical marijuana under professional supervision.

Hundreds gathered at the State Capitol to rally for public financing of political campaigns. The measure remains in limbo in the State Senate and Governor Cuomo faces questions on whether he’s working hard enough for the proposal to pass.
 
They came in busses from all over New York to give state lawmakers their message- big money is corrupting politics. They say the state should adopt New York City’s public campaign finance system, which allows candidates to match every dollar they collect in small donations with seven dollars of government funds.

Since approving a $300 million transportation funding bill last week, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick recently filed a terms bill, which if approved by the legislature, would provide funding to roads and bridge projects before the end of the summer work season.

Public safety officials took part in a statewide emergency preparedness drill today in Holyoke Massachusetts. It involved an unfortunately all too familiar scenario—a lone gunman on a shooting spree.

   The drill, involving a gunman on the campus of Holyoke Community College was a test of the coordinated response of local, campus and state police along with fire and emergency medical personnel. It was also a trial run for some new technology according to Holyoke Fire Lt Tom Paquin, who was the public information officer for the exercise.