Dear eNews Reader,
We’re experiencing a beautiful Fall season here in the Southern Tier. I can’t remember a better stretch of weather. I was able to get out and enjoy street festivals, car shows, concerts, baseball games, and more. Speaking of baseball, a big congratulations to the Rumble Ponies, our Eastern League Champions. They had a great season at Mirabito Stadium.
As we move into October, we’re starting to kick into gear for the upcoming Legislative Session. We have multiple challenges on ours hands that will need a lot of careful time and attention. See below for information about the NYSEG rate case that we are closely following. We are also convening numerous local meetings to discuss the impact of federal funding cuts.
Donna
YMCA’s West Branch Pool Renovation
Earlier this month, I joined Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie to announce a $1.2M Assembly grant for major renovations to their pool, which is used daily for lap swims, swimming lessons, aqua therapy, and group exercise classes. Renovating the West Branch pool became a priority after the Binghamton Branch pool was closed to make room for additional housing and needed shelter space. The current pool is over 40 years old and this a much-welcome update to the facility.
Supporting CHOW’s Efforts
Ahead of CHOW’s annual CHOW Walk this year, I announced a $50K Assembly grant I secured to support their food assistance efforts, including the transportation and storage of recovered food. NYS Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard Ball also came to town earlier this month to announce a $1.5M grant from our Food Access Expansion Program for the Council of Churches. CHOW plans include a new Mobile Market bus and Commercial Kitchen to expand access to chef-prepared meals.
Read more about the $50K grant here.
Read more about the Food Access Expansion Program grant here.
Assembly Members Visit
Members of the Assembly Committee on Science and Technology spent a couple of days in Broome County. They visited Techworks in Binghamton to see their amazing collection of local artifacts (original IBM mainframe, Link flight simulators, Apollo mission trainers, and more…). They also got to meet some of the original engineers who now volunteer at Techworks to keep these machines running. We also visited Bridge Green Upcycle in Endicott to learn about their process for safely recycling lithium-ion batteries.
Their final stops were to SUNY Broome and Binghamton University with SUNY Chancellor John King. We learned about the impact of the new free tuition program for Community Colleges and the exciting battery research being done at BU.
CCE Broome’s Commercial Kitchen Undergoing Major Expansion
I joined Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County to announce that the expansion of the Incubator Kitchen at the Regional Farmers Market is underway! The $750K grant I secured will nearly triple the space for local food entrepreneurs to work, adding a walk-in cooler and another full kitchen. Many small food businesses have started and are thriving as a result of the current facility, like Shantay Skrine from Sweetay’s. This new space will support even more entrepreneurs in their food journey while growing our local food economy. The new space is expected to be opening in Spring of 2026.
Local Event Wrap-Up
Thousands turned out for another spectacular LUMA Projection Arts Festival, which is always a great reminder of how beautiful our downtown buildings really are. The following weekend I spent some time enjoying the annual Blues on the Bridge where many of our talented local musicians put on a great show. This year’s Art Trail hosted by the Broome County Arts Council was also a hit, showcasing our vibrant local arts scene. I also had a great time at India Day, CCE’s Garden Party, the Humane Society’s car show, and of course cheering on the Rumble Ponies as they headed into the Eastern League Championships.
Community Announcements
NYSEG Rate Case
The Public Service Commission is currently considering a rate increase proposed by NYSEG. If approved, delivery rates will increase by 35% for electricity customers and 39.4% for natural gas customers starting May 1, 2026. I urge everyone to voice their opinion by participating in one of the upcoming public hearings or send in comments via phone, mail, or online. What ratepayers say becomes part of the official case record and can influence the outcome of the rate case.
In-Person Hearings:
No advanced registration is required for in-person hearings. Individuals will be called to speak after signing in and completing a request card.
DATE: Tuesday, October 7, 2025
TIMES: 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Binghamton City Hall, 38 Hawley Street, Binghamton, NY 13901
Virtual Hearings:
Ratepayers must register in advance of the hearing to speak. The deadline to register is Friday, October 17, 2025.
DATE: Tuesday, October 21, 2025
TIMES: 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Virtual (Register here)
Other ways to comment:
Comments can also be submitted online, through mail, or over the phone until October 24th. All comments should refer to “Case 25-E-0375 – NYSEG Electric” or “Case 25-G-0378 – NYSEG Gas.”
Comment online: Go to www.dps.ny.gov, click on “File Search” (located under the heading “Commission Files”), enter the applicable case number in the “Search by Case Number” box, and then click on “Post Comments” at the top right of the page.
Comment over the phone: Individuals may submit comments by calling the Commission’s Opinion Line at 1-800-335-2120. This number is set up to receive comments about pending cases from in-state callers 24-hours/day.
Comment through written mail: Mail written comments to the address below:
Hon. Michelle L. Phillips, Secretary, Public Service Commission
Three Empire State Plaza
Albany, New York, 12223-1350
Please note that electronic filing of comments is strongly encouraged.
Visit the “Other Ways to Comment” section on the Department of Public Service’s Hearing Information Webpage to learn more.
Community Screening: Murder Has Two Faces
Next Thursday, October 9th there will be a community screening of Murder Has Two Faces, a Hulu docuseries produced with Robin Roberts that features Senator Lea Webb. The docuseries explores the urgent need for justice for BIPOC missing and murdered women and girls, and the inequities in how the media treats similar cases.
The screening will take place on Thursday, October 9th at 6PM at the Goodwill Theatre in Johnson City, NY followed by a Q&A discussion. Prior to the event, Lisa Cortés, the award-winning director of the film, will hold a meet and greet alongside community leaders and advocates.
