Binghamton’s school board voted unanimously against a proposed $11.5 million tax break for a development company Tuesday night. The developer wants to build a 120-unit apartment complex at the site of a former parking garage downtown.

The project is one of eight in the Southern Tier funded by the Restore New York Communities Initiative, which funds projects to rehabilitate blighted downtowns and neighborhoods across the state.

Homeowners living in 500-year floodplain zones can apply for $50,000 low-interest loans to invest in upgrades that protect their homes from flood damage.

The expansion would have allowed construction of 12 additional cottages. The proposal received stiff pushback from some Newfield residents and elected officials.

Data from Cornell University researchers shows eviction rates haven’t just returned to pre-pandemic levels; they’ve largely exceeded them.

Some recent off-the-cuff comments by Gov. Kathy Hochul on whether she might support a tenants’ rights measure known as the Good Cause Eviction law caused a stir among advocates and landlords. But a spokeswoman for the governor said people shouldn’t read too much into it.

Advocates for stronger laws to protect tenants' rights in the face of eviction say they are encouraged by a court ruling that struck down a local Good Cause Eviction law in the city of Albany. They say it strengthens the argument that there should be a statewide law.

The $8 million project includes 23 affordable housing units.

Former U.S. Education Secretary John B. King was appointed as SUNY chancellor in December. He said he plans to visit all 64 campuses.

Gov. Kathy Hochul on Monday announced new affordable housing projects in Brooklyn and said she hopes to step up construction of low-cost housing to the rest of the state beginning next year.