COVID-19
Reed Hopeful House Will Continue Stimulus Package Push
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When asked if the recent events might deter another stimulus bill, Reed said his goal remains unchanged.
binghamton
Unemployment Dips Below 10% For Most Metro Areas in NY
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The unemployment rate in most of the state’s metro areas in New York dipped below 10% in August for the first time since March.
Economy
New York To Begin Enforcing Plastic Bag Ban Oct. 19
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New York state will begin enforcing its ban on single-use carry-out plastic bags next month after a brief hiatus of the law due to a legal challenge brought earlier this year.
App NEWS
Debate Continues On Taxing New York’s Wealthiest
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Governor Cuomo had said on Sept. 10 that New York might have to raise taxes to deal with its massive budget deficit but has since walked back those comments.
App NEWS
COVID-19 Tanked Hotels. Workers Of Color Feel The Biggest Squeeze
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“I don’t even know what that’s like, having to actually go fill out an application to try to get another job, and fit in somewhere,” said Swain. “Starting over, like that’s just so crazy.”
Affordable Housing
Tenants Push Need For More, Safer Low-Income Housing
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“Those properties, to be honest, should really be condemned, but people have to live there because it’s the only place that they’re able to afford.”
Pandemic Prompts Possible 12% Budget Cut In Tompkins County
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“The numbers are probably going to obscure some real misery, a sort of invisible misery in this community. We still have almost 10% unemployment.”
Economy
‘Worst Year Ever’ For Upstate Hotels, Some Down 60-70%
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“It is very stressful. It’s been six months now that we haven’t had the revenue in the stream. It’s been a difficult time.”
App NEWS
Garnar Announces “No Frills” 2021 Broome County Budget
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“We have waited long enough for the federal government to act, and we are going to come up with our own plan.”
Economy
New York Farms Prepare For Fall Activities With New Precautions
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“We’ve been planning this all for a while, so the regulations were about what we thought they were gonna be.”
App NEWS
Binghamton Mayor David Begins Term As Head Of NYS Conference of Mayors
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As the president of the Conference of Mayors, David said he will pursue increased federal funding and essential state aid.
App NEWS
Endicott Residents, Akshar Call For Halt To Battery Recycling Facility
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“We want the village trustees of Endicott to respect their residents, to listen to their concerns and to represent their best interest.”
ag department
Officials: USDA Hemp Regulations Are Onerous
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“We really are asking our farmers to be patient as we try to work this out with the federal government.”
Economy
Lawmakers Demand Release of State-Secured Child Care Funds
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“We’re saying here are some examples of where those resources are needed, and they’re needed now.”
Economy
Without Child Care Bailout, Workforce Could Lose Women
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White House counselor Kellyanne Conway announced she was stepping down from her position to look after her family. Working families across the country are figuring out how to provide care for their children with remote and hybrid schooling this year.
App NEWS
Schumer: Schools Can’t Reopen Without Federal Aid
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“Teachers are always paying for things out of the goodness of their hearts, and they’re not paid that much, but this one is so expensive we’ve got to get federal help.”
U.S. Puts Kodak Deal On Hold Amid Scrutiny Of Its Finances
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The decision to entrust $765 million of taxpayer money to the former maker of photographic equipment raises several questions about the Trump administration’s due diligence of Kodak.
Economy
‘Making A Souffle On A BBQ Grill’: PA Scrambles After Trump Goes Solo On Unemployment Relief
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“It’s technically doable, I guess.”
PA Congressional Candidate Endorses Additional Federal Aid For Workers, Business Owners And Schools
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“It can’t just fall on the teachers to figure it out, or even the local school districts,” said Griffin.
broome county
County Executives Call For Immediate Pandemic Disaster Relief
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“It is really, really going to hurt this community if we don’t get some type of assistance.”
Cuomo Recruits Kentucky’s Governor In Fight Against Trump’s Unemployment Payment
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Kentucky is also the home state of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. McConnell earlier this year suggested that states that lost revenue due to the pandemic should declare bankruptcy.
Economy
While Probe Continues, Federal Agency Halts Kodak Loan
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“Recent allegations of wrongdoing raise serious concerns. We will not proceed any further unless these allegations are cleared.”
COVID-19
NY Lt. Governor On School Reopening, Flu Season Complications
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“If parents are going to have to go to work and the kids are at home, that’s just an absolute nightmare.”
Crime and Justice
Report: SEC To Look At Government Loan To Kodak
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U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, (D-Massachusetts) said she sent a letter to the SEC Chairman asking that agency to look at the potential for insider trading.
Economy
Tax Collections Rebound With Pent-Up Shopper Demand, But PA Still Faces Huge Budget Deficit
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Pennsylvania’s finances received a welcome — but probably temporary — boost in July, with tax collections up 6.6% compared to the same time last year, according to figures released Monday by the state’s Independent Fiscal Office.
Economy
How A Black-Owned Farm In Windsor Is Building Generational Wealth
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“We’re promoting the message of black is beautiful and black excellence and being able to pass this down to generations to come.”
App NEWS
Minority-Owned Small Businesses Were Largely Shut Out Of PA’s First Coronavirus Loan Program
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State officials are trying again, this time with a grant program targeted at the smallest and most vulnerable operations.
Economy
Eastman Kodak: “One Of The Greatest 2nd Acts” In US Industrial History
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Eastman Kodak will help produce components needed to manufacture generic pharmaceuticals with the help of a substantial federal loan.
App NEWS
Business Owners To PA’s Governor: Please Police Mask Requirement So We Don’t Have To
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“If we did something as a business, the person would just up and leave and go somewhere else, because someone else is not going to enforce it.”
Economy
Staffs Have Doubled At PA Unemployment Offices, But Thousands Still Await Benefits
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“I’ve been doing this since April 4th, and I have received zero money. The problem is you cannot get through on the phone.”
App NEWS
Four Months After The Shutdown, Thousands Await Unemployment Compensation
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8 percent of claims needed to be reviewed manually.
App NEWS
Brindisi, Katko Hope Congress Can Reach Deal On Latest COVID-19 Relief Bill
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In the spirit of bipartisanship, Rep. John Katko (R-Camillus) and Rep. Anthony Brindisi (D-Utica) got together for a virtual town hall on Facebook this week, the first time they’ve ever done such a joint meeting.
App NEWS
Some Charter Spectrum Cable TV Rates To Rise
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Customers with some of the company’s TV packages, like TV Gold, TV Silver and TV Select will see their bills increase $1.50 per month.
Economy
‘This Is For You’: New PA Grant Targets Minority Business Owners Hurt By Coronavirus Shutdown
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“I would never have applied if they hadn’t come and talked to me about it. They emphasized to me: Why don’t you take advantage of some of the things that are out there for you?”
App NEWS
To Curb COVID- 19, Cuomo Imposes New Restrictions, Penalties On Bars And Restaurants
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“New Yorkers are outraged at these establishments, we’re getting thousands of complaints, pictures, videos. This is a question of public health.”
New York City’s High Line Reopens In A Potential Boost To Local Business
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Chelsea business owners hope the reopening of the popular elevated park will bring more foot traffic back to the neighborhood.
Economy
Schumer Pushes For More Small Business Help
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“We just have to change the law to let folks like this get a second round and we will have many, many more small businesses surviving and even prospering in the next six months.”
Economy
Cuomo Opens Malls Friday, Cancels County Fairs
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“The federal government’s demands that schools reopen without concern for health, safety and equity are simply out of touch.”
binghamton
As Evictions Resume, Citizen Action Hosts Tenants’ Rights Forum In BGM
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“Evictions are violence. They can mean the death of people and their families, especially during a health pandemic.”
Economy
Travel In Upstate New York On The Rise
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“We are seeing a lot of day- and long-weekend trips to the Finger Lakes, Thousand Islands, Adirondacks, and the Lake George area. State parks remain popular as the tourists enjoy hiking and being out in nature.”
Rural Health Desk
Museums Reopen With Massive Financial Strains Under COVID-19
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“Those expenses still continue whether or not there are people here.”
Inside Seating? A Harlem Bar Owner Navigates COVID-19’s Changing Rules
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67 Orange Street makes do with take-out and outdoor service while waiting for a decision on inside dining in NYC.
Economy
Upstate Tourism May See Summer Spike
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New York City, which normally is the number-one tourism destination in the state, is still viewed by many to be unsafe – opening up new opportunities for upstate.
Rural Health Desk
Corning Closes Part Of Downtown District To Aid Business Reopenings
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“We were all facing the fact that when we reopen, we have to figure out how to social distance in one of the most intimate settings there is: taking care of a customer.”
Cornell Students Return To Campus In September
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Students will be required to undergo regular screening and testing for COVID-19.
App NEWS
Cuomo: Malls Need Improved Air Filters Before They Can Reopen
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“We will make it mandatory that they have air filtration systems that can filter out the COVID virus.”
App NEWS
New York Business Owners Chafe At Uncertainty Over Mall Reopenings
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“We are ready to be back in business in a safe and effective manner and we’re just hoping that we can have the opportunity to do so, so that we can feed our families.”
New York City Could See 22,000 Public Employee Layoffs Because Of COVID-19
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Mayor Bill de Blasio warned that without aid from Albany and Washington, as well as concessions from labor groups, every department would face unprecedented job cuts
Andrew Cuomo
New York Bar Owners Brace For State Oversight During Reopening
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“Everyone’s got that opinion, but it’s only me that’s got that liquor license.”
App NEWS
Unemployment In Binghamton Tops 10%, Rate Doubles In Ithaca
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The unemployment rate nearly quadrupled in New York state’s metro areas in May compared to the same time last year, landing at 14.5% across the board, according to data released Tuesday by the state Department of Labor.
Economy
Report: Gyms, Malls, Movie Theaters Will Not Open As Part Of Phase 4
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Broome County Executive Jason Garnar tweeted the Southern Tier region had been cleared to begin Phase 4 Friday. But he did not indicate what businesses would be opening.
Economy
Business Owners, Elected Officials Want New York’s Malls Reopened
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“It’s business critical at this point. We’ve been shut down for three months and we have zero revenue, still having many of the obligations that we had before.”
Economy
New York State Disburses Additional Food Aid For 4th Straight Month
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Hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers will be getting more money than usual to help with groceries this month.
App NEWS
COVID-19 Leads To Sharp Drop In Sales Tax Revenue
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New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said that sales tax revenue for local governments fell by more than 32% in May compared to the same month a year ago.
App NEWS
Oneida Nation Casinos Reopen With New Health Measures
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“The machine itself will tell you when and if it has been sanitized since it last was played and at what time.”
App NEWS
As Finger Lakes Reopen, Oldest Residents Still At High Risk
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As the Finger Lakes region moves through the phases of reopening its economy, people who work with the region’s oldest residents say they still need to take extra precautions.
App NEWS
Outdoor Dining Reopens Today In Upstate Regions
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“The No. 1 contributor to New York state sales tax are bars and restaurants, so it will help the economy, it’ll help local businesses and it’ll help (our) finances as well.”
App NEWS
PA House Passes Resolution To Limit Governor’s Coronavirus Emergency Declaration
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Senate still needs to act, but resolution faces almost certain disapproval by governor
De Blasio Expects New York City To Head Back To Work Next Month
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The epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S. has spent weeks under strict restrictions. But the mayor says up to 400,000 people will likely return to their jobs soon — with some conditions.
Andrew Cuomo
Updated: After Confusion, Southern Tier Enters Phase Two
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Local officials complained about a lack of communication with state officials leading up to today.
App NEWS
Binghamton Looks To Expand Outdoor Space When Restaurant Seating Reopens
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Dine-in service is part of phase three of reopening
Assemblywoman Says Federal Aid Could Prevent Disastrous Cuts In Local Budgets
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“It would just be a disaster. It’s, it would just be awful in every area.”
coronavirus
‘Not Camera Shy’: PA Businesses Make Video Pitches For Emergency Aid
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“This is going to be our new normal when the government allows us to come back. So, I am giving it a go.”
App NEWS
Hair Stylists, Nail Salons Plan Reopening With No Guidance From New York State
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“If I’m not making money, if I can’t sustain rent on 2,400 square feet, plus utilities, then it’s no longer a benefit for me to keep the business as it was running.”
App NEWS
Veto Won’t Stop PA Real Estate Offices From Reopening
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After rejecting bill to reopen real estate industry, Wolf issues guidelines to accomplish the same goal
Economy
Amazon To Build Huge $350 Million Warehouse Near Syracuse
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Construction has already started on a $350 million, 3.8 million square foot distribution center, where employees will work alongside robots to fulfill smaller customer orders.
App NEWS
Explainer: The Debate Over Letting PA’s Real Estate Industry Get Back To Work
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Pa. is only state in nation where real estate is on hold during coronavirus
App NEWS
Business Owners Express Confusion, Frustration About PA’s Waiver Process
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PA business owners share stories of evolving, sometimes contradictory, guidance from state
Economy
PA Extends Benefits Window For Unemployment Compensation
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The state’s unemployment benefits agency continues to deal with “an avalanche of claims.”
App NEWS
Haircuts Are Phase 2
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Broome County’s Executive Jason Garnar said if the region continues to fulfill the reopening criteria set by the state, it could see Phase 2 on May 29th.
Cortland Business Owner Cautiously Optimistic About Reopening
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“It takes that one person walking through the door. That one person being curbside that happens to cough on me, then who knows.”
Economy
Child Care Centers In PA: Bellwether For How Tricky It Will Be To Fully Reopen Economy
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“Going out there and saying ‘support your local economy’ is going to make you look bad if at the same time you are saying ‘put your kids in danger.’”
App NEWS
Clash Over Reopening Economy Simmers Below The Surface In Rural PA COVID Hotspot
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“There’s a lot of people who think nothing will happen to them, and keep getting together, keep having parties.”
Andrew Cuomo
Cuomo Urges Caution As The Southern Tier Prepares For Reopening
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“You open a business tomorrow with 50 employees. You don’t do it right, one person was infected. You can infect 30 of the 50 in one afternoon.”
Elective Surgeries Okayed For Most Of New York
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Four regional counties were allowed to restart the procedures on Wednesday.
New York Small Business Owners Describe Struggles At Legislative Hearing
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Small business owners, including restauranteur Carlos Suarez, testified about the struggles they have endured to get federal aid.
Andrew Cuomo
Fifth Region Of The State Allowed To Begin Reopening
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He said New York’s North Country and the Central New York regions have met the state’s criteria.
Economy
Cornell Expert: Unemployment In Central New York Could Surpass 12%
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“A lot of the headlines in terms of this pandemic being a great equalizer, isn’t necessarily so, in the way it’s playing out.”
App NEWS
Why Did A Hair And Beauty Products Company Receive A ‘Life-Sustaining’ Waiver?
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How this business qualified for a waiver is unclear from just the information DCED posted on its website.
Economy
PA Company Switches From Sewing Football Jerseys To Face Masks. Workers Walked Out, Calling Plan Unsafe
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“It wasn’t about getting masks out to the public. It was about saving his company and making as much money as possible.”
App NEWS
What Does The Future Of Restaurants Look Like As PA Eases Guidelines?
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The repercussions have been devastating. Nearly 1,000 out of 26,000 restaurants operating in the state have permanently closed due to coronavirus.
New York Businesses Adapt; Long Island Oysterman Delivers Door To Door
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As sales to restaurant clients dried up, oyster farmer Peter Stein had to adapt or perish. Now, he’s delivering oysters directly to individual customers, doing about 20% of his usual business.
Economy
New York Manufacturers Ready To Reopen Once “Pause” Is Lifted
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Many of these companies have already instituted a variety of protocols to keep workers safe.
Economy
Oil And Gas Companies Asked, Then Received Changes To Fed Coronavirus Stimulus Program
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Help with refinancing debt could help shale companies in PA
App NEWS
PA Workers With Preexisting Health Conditions Fear A Return To Work
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They are particularly at risk of serious complications or death if they get the coronavirus, but if they refuse to work, they could lose their job and unemployment.
Economy
Crayons, Flowers, Taxidermy: PA Governor Releases List Of ‘Life-Sustaining’ Business Waivers
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The state issued 12,826 denials and 11,635 businesses were told that their request did not require an exemption.
Andrew Cuomo
Cuomo: Some NY Regions Have Met Criteria To Begin Reopening
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The Governor said more details will be available on Monday.
App NEWS
Hoping To Reopen Soon, New York Businesses Draw Up Plans
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“They are all feeling very ready to get back to work. Most of them are in the process of trying to develop plans to get there.”
App NEWS
PA Governor Says Workers Should Refuse To Work If They Don’t Feel Safe
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The governor says the state cannot widely enforce its worker safety order.
App NEWS
PA Liquor Stores Will Reopen For Limited In-Person Sales In ‘Yellow Counties’
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The stores will be limited to no more than 25 people, including employees, in a store at any one time.
Economy
PA Governor Wants A Civilian Corps To Fight Coronavirus, Provide Jobs
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Governor Wolf said he didn’t know how many people would be hired or when the corps would be formed, but that he wants it to be a big deal.
Set Builder: ‘It’s New York City … Eventually, Events Have to Come Back’
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Maxwell Kirsner built sets for big events. Then he, his fiancée and their coworkers were laid off. Kirsner says he’s optimistic the city will make it back, but he’s worried how long that will take.
App NEWS
New York Reopens Car Dealer Showrooms, With Restrictions
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Visits to any dealership will be by appointment only, and a number of safety precautions will be monitored to keep dealers and buyers safe.
Economy
Senators Examine PA’s Reopening Plan And What Lies Ahead
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“Is this the new normal in terms of what we’re going to do in terms of shutting down the economy?”
Tompkins County Announces Furloughs, Budget Cuts
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Some senior staff people volunteered to be furloughed so that others could keep their jobs.
Schumer, Gillibrand Want To Federalize Medical Supply Chain, Increase Production
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Democrats backing the bill say the White House has not fully utilized the power of the federal government, which has left hospitals and health care workers shorted in many places.
Economy
Warehouse Workers Warn Their Safety Concerns Are Ignored
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The state in mid-April ordered all essential employers to provide protections, but some workers say they’ve seen little change.
Economy
Governor Giving Guidance To Counties, Businesses Reopening In PA’s ‘Yellow’ Regions
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The entire state is in the red status until Friday.
Governor Outlines Rules For New York’s Return To Work
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“You’d rather have a controlled start, so that you don’t have to stop. You reopen too fast, then you have to stop.”
Economy
Smile! For Many, Finding A Job During A Pandemic Involves Video Interviews
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“I think in the aftermath of COVID-19, and hopefully it happens sooner than we think, virtual job fairs are going to become the rule and not the exception.”
App NEWS
Upstate Businesses Ready To Reopen Once New York Gives The Okay
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Local businesses are coming up with plans for restarting, but how and when they go into effect are still an unknown.
Cortland Groups Plan Drive-Thru Dairy Giveaway
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“The plan is for us to continue to get dairy into the county through the food pantries and other food programs as long as the donations keep flowing.”
App NEWS
Without Better Organization, Binghamton Tenants Told To Avoid A Rent Strike
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The types of apartments rented in Binghamton do not give tenants much opportunity to organize into a collective bargaining unit.
Economy
Unemployed In ‘Black Hole’: PA’s Jobless Await Benefits As Pressure, Bills Mount
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“You rely on your state to bail you out and you can’t get any answers.”
Economy
PA Senate Committee Votes To Subpoena Wolf Administration Over Business Waivers
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Republicans in legislature want details on how state handled business requests to remain open during coronavirus closures
Economy
PA’s Horse Racing Industry Hopes To Reopen Before Money For Care Runs Out
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“We’re deemed essential on the backside, but not on the revenue side.”
New York Considers One-Year Break From Incentive Requirements For New Employers
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“The state is considering a deferral for all companies that have job creation requirements as part of economic development packages.”
App NEWS
Ithaca Common Council Passes Plan For Furlough Of 87 And $5.4 Million in Cuts
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The Council also passed a resolution to reduce the type of health insurance plan for the mayor, Common Council and other managerial staff.
Economy
Coronavirus Unemployment Benefits Are High, Putting Workers And Employers At Odds
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“I believe that they are scared. If you listen to a lot of what’s going on [on the news], it’s a lot of overkill, on the fear factor.”
App NEWS
House Republicans Push To Reopen More PA Businesses
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“It’s another Monday, and it’s another end-the-shutdown bill.”
Economy
COVID-19’s Economic Blow To Rural PA Far Outstrips The Pandemic. But Reopening Won’t Be Easy
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“I’m one to look at the half-full glass … but now I’m looking at which customers of ours are going to survive.”
Amazon Warehouse Safety ‘Inadequate,’ Says New York Attorney General
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Amazon may have violated federal health and safety standards as well as New York’s whistleblower law, the New York attorney general’s office wrote to Amazon in a letter obtained by NPR.
Study Commences On Planned 80-Mile Southern Tier Trail
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“As we begin to rethink and restart the economy, projects like this can really help transform communities in a very positive way.”
Featured in Category
Farmers Have Too Much Food to Sell. New York Might Buy It
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The New York Farm Bureau has asked the state, in recent days, to ramp up testing for COVID-19 in rural areas of the state, particularly at farms.
Southern Tier Food Bank Doubles Delivery Due To COVID-19
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As need has increased, donations have decreased.
Economy
Governor Details Metrics That Will Guide Reopening Of PA’s Economy
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“Ultimately, the virus is going to set the timeline, not us.”
App NEWS
Business Group Calls On New York Officials To Accelerate Upstate Reopening
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“We need to be, I think, taking a look at the data, and working with not only the health professionals, but also the business community.”
App NEWS
Governor Says It’s Time To Talk About Reopening PA’s Economy, But Offers No Timeline
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PA POST – Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf says it’s time to start talking about reopening the state’s economy, but during a Friday afternoon news conference, he avoided providing dates for when he will lift restrictions on Pennsylvania residents and businesses. “Unfortunately, we cannot flip a switch and reopen the commonwealth,” Wolf said. “There isn’t going to be one big day. We need to make smart, data-driven decisions, and we can’t be impulsive. We can’t be emotional.”
Starting next week, Wolf said he plans to describe specific steps for lifting restrictions in Pennsylvania. Those steps will follow guidelines released by the Wolf administration on Friday that emphasize a data-driven approach to create quantifiable criteria and take into account conditions in different regions of the state.
Economy
PA’s Toilet Paper Manufacturers Flush With Demand
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To meet the demand, the plant has delayed upgrades and maintenance on its equipment, reduced the number of products it makes, and reassigned non-manufacturing employees to positions on the production line.
App NEWS
POLL: Business Confidence Plummets In New York State
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“Still a majority, 57%, say right now the government of the state of New York should concentrate on public health and not on trying to reopen the economy.”
Antonio Delgado
Delgado, Gillibrand Call For COVID-19 Aid Aimed At Rural Communities
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“It is incredibly unfair that local governments serving populations under 500,000 or less were not given direct access to funding in the CARES Act”
App NEWS
PA Governor Plans To Veto GOP Bill To Reopen Businesses
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“Reopening businesses too early will only extend the length of the economic hardships created by the pandemic.”
Economy
When Can PA Return To Normal? Roadmap Emerges, Although Distance Uncertain
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The recent flattening of the state’s coronavirus case count must stay on course.
Economy
As Business Moves Online, IT Jobs More Essential Than Ever — For Now
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For almost every tactile experience in the pre-COVID-19 world, there is now an online analog.
Economy
Frontier Communications Files For Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection
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“We can now focus on executing our strategy to drive operational efficiencies and position our business for long-term growth.”
Economy
Debate Over Restarting Construction Projects In Pennsylvania Explained
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“There’s no way I personally want to be responsible for one of our members dying from this or one of their family members.”
App NEWS
PA House Votes To Reopen More Businesses Closed By Coronavirus Restrictions
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The action comes nearly one month after Wolf ordered more than 100 types of “non-life-sustaining” businesses to close or face fines and other penalties.
Economy
Here’s Where Coronavirus Is Causing Unemployment To Spike In PA
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New Pennsylvania unemployment data shows the coronavirus shutdown has been felt most acutely on a per-capita basis in some of the most rural counties.
States Unite On Reopening Economies: ‘Science — Not Politics — Will Guide’ Decisions
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“Any plan to reopen society MUST be driven by data and experts,” said Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York, which is forming a regional coalition of states. California will work with Oregon and Washington.
Economy
New York, Pennsylvania And Other States Form Task Force On Reopening Society
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“We want it ASAP, but we want it smart. Not political.”
App NEWS
‘Outlaw’ PA Businesses Make Coronavirus Masks Without State Approval
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“For making protective masks and hospital gowns … you can’t make that out of wishful thinking, you have to have actual fabric.”
Economy
Amid Coronavirus Outbreak, PA House Republicans Move To Open More Businesses
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“Now is not the time to ease up on strong mitigation tactics that can help flatten the curve and ease the burden likely to be placed on our healthcare system.”
Economy
Warehouse Workers See Themselves As Reluctant Heroes Of Coronavirus Pandemic
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“Is the world paying attention to this?”
Economy
PA’s Business Owners, Self-Employed Fight To Weather The Coronavirus Shutdown
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“You want to act like everything is normal, you want to look your brightest…even though that might be a facade.”
App NEWS
Cider Creek Hard Cider Shifts Operations To Produce Sanitizer
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“Knowing the process of distillation and how long it takes, I was looking at my barrels and I just thought to myself this would be a great way to help our local community.”
Featured in Category
Brindisi, Katko Urge Immediate Release Of Federal Stimulus Funds To Hospitals
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“It’s absolutely crucial that we get this money to people now, for the hospitals now, and for people on the frontlines now, that being individuals.”
Economy
Coronavirus Brings PA’s Construction Industry To A Near Standstill
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“It’s going to be a whole new world on how we’re going to man a job here…until this virus is completely behind us.”
Economy
12% Of PA Workers Submitted Unemployment Claims In Second Half Of March
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State leads nation in percentage of workforce seeking benefits
Economy
Kodak Manufactures Isopropyl Alcohol For New York State
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Kodak has shipped 40,000 gallons of the isopropyl alcohol over the last week, shipping it in tanker loads from its Eastman Business Park facility.
App NEWS
Why Is Pennsylvania Leading The Nation In Unemployment Claims?
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The Commonwealth’s unemployment compensation program saw more than 378,900 claims filed during the week ending March 21 — 6 percent of the workforce.
App NEWS
Wolf Administration Won’t Release List Of Businesses That Want ‘Life-Sustaining Waivers
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The Pennsylvania Governor says the state Department of Community and Economic Development will not respond to open records requests for the foreseeable future,
A New York Economist Makes The Case For More Federal Action Against COVID-19
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A Nobel prize-winning economist on what it might take to get our economy growing again.
Antonio Delgado
INTERVIEW: Delgado On Relief Amid COVID-19
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The conversation comes after the federal stimulus package passed last week.
Economy
Local Distilleries Use Facilities To Make Hand Sanitizer
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“Our goal here is to not become, you know, wealthy off of a tragedy.”
Regional Congressmembers Support Federal Stimulus Package
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President Trump signed the measure Friday afternoon.
App NEWS
In A Small Way, Planning Begins For A Restart Of New York’s Economy
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The governor says he has absolutely “no second thoughts” about ordering a complete shut down of businesses this week.
Economy
Wolf Administration Backtracks On Closing Laundromats For Coronavirus
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“People still have dirty clothes.”
App NEWS
Cuomo Calls On President To Mobilize American Industry; Considers Mail-In Ballots
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“The federal government should order factories to manufacture masks, gowns, ventilators. The essential medical equipment that’s going to make a difference between life and death.”
Economy
Cuomo Orders Shopping Malls To Close This Evening At 8:00
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The governors of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania also moved to close the indoor portions of retail shopping malls, amusement parks and bowling alleys.
Economy
Amazon Employee At New York Warehouse Tests Positive For Coronavirus
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To meet the demand, the company announced earlier this week that it planned to hire 100,000 more part-time and full-time employees.
Cuomo Orders Most Workplaces To Cut On Site Personnel By Half
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“Let’s deal with one crisis at a time and let’s deal with a crisis at hand, and the crisis at hand is a public health crisis.”
App NEWS
Wegmans, Tops Again Change Hours
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Wegmans says it needs the additional off-hours to help restock and clean the stores.
Reed Says Senate Bill Will Bring Relief to Workers Affected By COVID Closures
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Reed also said that Congress is keeping an eye on the needs of families while schools are closed.
As Peak Travel Season Approaches, Niagara Falls Could See Fewer International Tourists
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On both sides of the Niagara Gorge, tourism promoters are expecting a drop in overseas tourists because of COVID-19 and more domestic tourists arriving by car.
Economy
Wegmans, Tops Limit Sales On Some Cleaning Products
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Concerns about the novel coronavirus have caused a run on a number of items at supermarkets and other stores, particularly hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes.
Economy
Gillibrand Bill Claws Back Tax Benefits for Companies That Send Jobs Overseas
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“It’s time to hold corporations accountable when they work against the interests of hard-working Americans.”
Economy
Former Congressman and Corning CEO Amo Houghton Dies
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Amo Houghton, the former Congressman who also had led Corning Incorporated for a number of years, has died at the age of 93.
App NEWS
Poor People’s Campaign Reminds PA Lawmakers About General Assistance
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The group argues the strong economy makes it a good time to reinstate the cash assistance program. But the GOP-controlled legislature is wary of increased spending.
‘Gives Me Hope’: How New York Workers Rose Up Against Stagnant Wages
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When some fast-food workers in New York went on strike one morning in 2012, they had no idea it was the beginning of an unusual movement that would propel an economic revolution.
Anthony Brindisi
Lockheed Martin’s Owego Plant Wins Contract To Make Parts For Drone-Killing Laser
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The High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical-dazzler and Surveillance (HELIOS) system can defend American naval vessels against drones, small boats and cruise missiles.
Amid Restructuring, Banking Giant HSBC To Cut Jobs In New York, Pennsylvania
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The bank says it will shed nearly 15% of its workforce and $100 billion in investments as it refocuses on growth markets in Asia and reduces operations in Europe and the U.S.
Economy
New York Attorney General Will Not Appeal Ruling That Favored T-Mobile – Sprint Merger
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Instead, the New York Attorney General says her office hopes to work with all parties to make sure consumers get the best pricing and service possible.
Economy
Study Shows New York Wineries Have A Major Economic Impact
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The study found the wine and grape industry in New York directly creates 71,950 jobs, generating $2.79 billion in wages and $6.65 billion in direct economic impact.
New York Considers Appeal; Judge Favors T-Mobile Takeover Of Sprint
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“There is no doubt that reducing the mobile market from four to three will be bad for consumers, bad for workers, and bad for innovation.”
Some Businesses Are Going Cashless, But New York’s Pushing Back
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Opponents of cashless stores say they discriminate against low-income, homeless and undocumented people.
App NEWS
Not All Of New York’s “Gig Workers” Want Proposed Protections
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“Too many corporations are increasing their profits at the expense of the employee.”
App NEWS
Governor’s Support For Petrochemicals Raises Climate Worries As PA Tries To Cut Carbon Emissions
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Plastics build-out could conflict with governor’s climate goals
App NEWS
Supporters Of March 1st Plastic Bag Ban Want More Publicity
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“We’re going to probably get some negative feedback those first few weeks as we try to transition.”
Economy
PA Governor Anticipates Bipartisanship On Workforce-Strengthening Plan
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However, the governor says he’s much less sure about his longtime push to raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage.
binghamton
Wegmans’ Single-Use Plastic Bag Ban Begins
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The grocery chain is getting an early start on the state-wide ban, which begins in March.
Myth Busted: In New York It Turns Out Bankruptcy Can Wipe Out Student Loan Debt
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Many Americans who get overwhelmed by student loan debt are told student debt can’t be erased through bankruptcy. Now more judges and lawyers say that’s a myth and bankruptcy can help.
New York, PA Disappoint Shareholders In Cannabis Companies
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Many cannabis companies saw their stock prices soar in the first few months of 2019, only to see their valuations collapse.
Senator Urges Canada To Implement Customs Pre-Clearance At Falls Station
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“If we had pre-clearance, that gateway could be used a lot more easily, creating economic growth, bringing dollars, bringing jobs and money to the entire Western New York economy.”
App NEWS
Warehouse Distribution Centers Create Jobs, But Lack Employee Retention, Says Management Professor
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“They have a lot of good benefits available to employees. But most of them don’t come into effect until one of two years into employment.”
Economy
Goodwill Announces Date For Elimination Of Plastic Bags
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Goodwill of the Finger Lakes will remove the single-use bags from all of its Rochester and Syracuse area stores on Saturday, February 1. That’s a month ahead of the state-imposed ban which takes effect March 1.
App NEWS
Despite GOP Attempts To Compromise, PA’s Governor Won’t Abandon Overtime Plan
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The governor wants to require that time-and-a-half be paid to anyone who makes $45,000 or less and works more than 40 hours in a week.
agriculture
Seneca Nation Enters The Hemp Industry
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It’s going to be open for our people to apply and try their hand at it. Whether that means they’re putting it in the ground or they’re growing it indoors, we’ll definitely help facilitate that and we’ll see where it goes,”
Economy
Activists Celebrate, Employers Wary Over Minimum Wage Increases
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Leading into 2020, the hourly minimum wage for workers in upstate New York will rise to $11.80. For tipped workers, it will be $7.85 an hour.
Anthony Brindisi
Upstate Representatives Praise USMCA
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The U.S. House of Representatives has voted to approve the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, clearing a major hurdle towards approving a new North American trade deal. The bill now heads to the Senate where it’s likely to be taken up in the new year.
Economy
Upstate’s Salvation Army Donations Down 24%
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“It’s not like it used to be. People are shopping online more and more and having it delivered.”
App NEWS
Broome County Approves Tax Break For Canopy Growth
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The company will save $1.7 million dollars over 15 years.
App NEWS
Broome County To Decide On Canopy Growth Tax Exemption
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The industrial hemp company would save $1.7 million over the next 15 years.
App NEWS
Supporters And Opponents Of Plastic Bag Ban Find Fault With New York’s Proposed Regulations
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State regulators have released new rules to enforce the changes, but groups on both sides of the issue say those rules are flawed.
Economy
Scotland Is Turning PA’s Shale Gas Into Plastic. What Happens To It Next?
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Taxes and bans on single use plastics try to combat plastics in the oceans
Economy
PA’s Attorney General Says Trump’s Tipped Wage Proposal Could Hurt Workers
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The proposed Department of Labor rule notes that it could allow employers to save some money by letting tipped and non-tipped workers pool their pay.
Andrew Cuomo
NY Governor Signs Lupardo-Backed Hemp Bill
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The measure creates regulatory standards for hemp products.
Economy
Hemp Farmers Pleased With Change In Federal Guidelines For Bank Loans
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There are new guidelines from the federal government that could help hemp farmers in New York state expand their operations. WXXI’s Randy Gorbman explains:
App NEWS
How Much Are New Yorkers Spending On Holiday Gifts And What Does It Say About Their Finances?
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If the latest poll from Siena College is any indication, New Yorkers are feeling a bit better about their personal finances than they did a year ago.
broome county
Public Hearing Rescheduled For Industrial Hemp Company Seeking Tax Break From Broome County
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The hearing was postponed due to this week’s winter storm.
Binghamton Airport Receives Over $6 Million In Federal Funds
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The funds will pay for improvements to the airport’s taxiways.
As Oil Prices Drop And Money Dries Up, Is The U.S. Shale Boom Going Bust?
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The boom that helped make the U.S. the world’s largest oil producer could be ending. Oil prices are down amid weak demand and investors no longer seem willing to write the industry a blank check.
Reaction After Protest Abruptly Cancels Conservative Economist’s Talk At Binghamton University
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Former ACLU President says cancelling lecture may have sent the wrong message.
Economy
Finger Lakes Poverty Is Driving Early Deaths, Report Finds
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The link between poor health and poverty is stronger than ever in the Finger Lakes, according to a new report from Rochester non-profit Common Ground Health. The organization says it has data that’s never been collected before.
Congress To Consider Bill That May Help New York Dairy Workers
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The new bill will allow visas for year-round workers and it provides a path to legal status for current farm workers already in the U.S.
Economy
Despite Scotland’s Fracking Ban, Imported American Shale Gas Is Key To One Town’s Economy
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Natural gas is mostly used for heating homes or fueling power plants. But when it comes out of the ground, it contains another key ingredient — ethane, a building block of plastics.
Economy
Work Complete On 50 Mile Drone Test Corridor In New York
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Central New York’s emerging drone industry is taking some major steps forward, as construction of the infrastructure is complete for the unmanned traffic management drone corridor.
Economy
Bill Would Allow Reusable Beverage Container Refills In New York
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Two Democratic state lawmakers have introduced a bill that would give customers in cafes, fast food shops and even in some restaurants, the option to use their own container for coffee, water, or to bring home left overs.
App NEWS
Wegmans Fans Line Up Early For Brooklyn Store Opening
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“I made fun of my husband for the thought of going his early, but apparently he wasn’t alone.”
App NEWS
‘Silver Tsunami’ Of Manufacturing Retirements Pushes PA To Prioritize STEM Education
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The state estimates that most jobs created in the next decade will require workers to use computers, and many opportunities will be STEM-related.
Andrew Cuomo
Cuomo Attends Regional Summit On Legal Cannabis, Vaping Illness Epidemic
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The states also agreed to take more steps to discourage minors from vaping any type of products, including nicotine.