Dear eNews Reader,
Once again we’re on a roller coaster weather ride as we moved from Fall back to Summer and now to Winter in one week. As we quickly start to prepare for the holidays, I will be looking at the important work ahead locally and in Albany.
In the meantime, please remember that you can still take advantage of Early Voting until Sunday. There are two statewide propositions on the ballot; one will help small City School Districts like Binghamton, and the other will make sewage treatment projects more manageable financially. For more information go to Broomevotes.com
Donna
1. BU to House America’s Tech Hub in Battery Innovation
Last week, Senator Chuck Schumer announced that Binghamton University’s New Energy New York (NENY) was designated the US TechHub for Battery Innovation and Manufacturing.The goal of the TechHub Program is to revitalize regions throughout the country with investments in the research and development of new technologies. I have been working with Binghamton University for many years helping them build the infrastructure needed for this vitally important research. The Innovative Technologies Complex houses state of the art research labs, including one for Nobel Laureate and NENY project lead Dr. Stan Whittingham. His groundbreaking work will help bring jobs back to America and to the Southern Tier.
More info at Pressconnects and the U.S. Department of Commerce website
2. EMS “Call to Action” Across Upstate NY
Earlier this month, I helped organize a series of press conferences across Upstate (see below) in support of Emergency Medical Service providers. Our local press conference was held at Broome County EMS, with representatives from several ambulance companies, along with Senator Lea Webb, Assemblyman Joe Angelino and County Executive Jason Garnar. We were urging the Governor to sign legislation (A250) that will allow these providers to receive payment for their services directly from insurance providers. Currently, checks are sent directly to the patient, who often do not forward payment to the ambulance service. Many of the companies are struggling financially, putting this vital service at risk.
Learn more here.
3. Governor Signs Lupardo STOP DWI Legislation
After years of effort, the Governor signed my legislation directing more resources to STOP DWI programs around the state (A4755). Local STOP-DWI programs are crucial to safe roads and communities, but over the years funding has been diverted from these programs, putting essential services like sobriety checkpoints and driver rehabilitation programs at risk. Now that this bill has been signed, all surcharges on impaired driving convictions will be redirected to local programs instead of to the state’s general fund, returning $6.5M annually to DWI programs statewide.
Learn more here.
4. Governor Urged to Sign Webb/Lupardo Legislation for Roosevelt
Last week, Senator Lea Webb and I held a press conference urging Governor Hochul to sign legislation (A2307) into law that will assist with much-needed renovations at Theodore Roosevelt Elementary. If signed and then approved by voters, the renovation process will be expedited, limiting disruptions to the learning environment and saving taxpayer dollars in the long run. Small business owners, nonprofit leaders, parents, school officials, and other community members have expressed their unwavering support by attending the press conference, writing support letters, and signing the petition created by school officials. This school plays a very important role in the lives of students and families on the Northside and deserves this special attention.
Click here to view the digital petition.
5. JC Senior Center Celebrates Anniversary and Baseball History
Earlier this month we unveiled a new digital sign at the Johnson City Senior Center paid for in part with a $20,000 NYS Assembly grant. The sign was used to help advertise the Center’s 40th anniversary which took place a few weeks later. There, two historical markers were unveiled in honor of Johnson Field. We also learned all about the history of the Triplets and Yankee Captain Thurman Munson’s connection to the area. His wife Diana (pictured below) was at the celebration along with other members of his family and helped with the sign dedications. A wonderful time was had by all.
Read more about the tribute in the Senior Center’s newsletter here.
