Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011
New study shows Upstate gets more than it gives
An analysis by the University of Albany’s Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government concludes that the Upstate region receives more in state money than it pays into state coffers. But the study – replete with caveats and provisos – offers a very specific review of the numbers. The Albany Times-Union has this report.
Binghamton considers drilling ban
The Binghamton City Council will hold a public hearing tonight to consider a city-wide ban on gas and oil drilling, as well as a ban on ancillary activities related to drilling. While drilling bans have been enacted in other cities across the state, Binghamton sits atop the mother lode of gas deposits in the Marcellus Shale. The Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin has this report.
New recycling effort for Amherst to save suburb millions
The Buffalo suburb of Amherst is changing trash collection contractors and is aiming to increase recycling efforts, saving the town $2 million a year. WBFO has this report.
Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011
New ethics commission off to auspicious start
The newly formed state Joint Commission on Public Ethics held its first meeting on Monday and to the confusion of many that first meeting was not open to the public. It was all perfectly legal as the Commission is not bound by New York’s open meeting laws, but the irony was lost on no one. North Country Public Radio has this report.
Patent fight key to Kodak success
The outcome of a pending case before the U.S. International Trade Commission will weigh heavily on the future success or failure of Kodak. Kodak has filed a complaint against technology behemoth Apple and the maker of Blackberry for patent infringement. If the ruling favors Kodak, the ailing company could reap a $1 billion windfall. The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle has this report.
Cornell gets $350 million gift, wins Roosevelt Island competition
Cornell University has been chosen to develop a high-tech graduate school on Roosevelt Island. The university was chosen from seven teams vying to develop the island into an East Coast Silicon Valley and with the announcement came word of the largest-ever donation to the university. The New York Times has this coverage.
Monday, Dec. 19, 2011
U.S. Senate rejects Obama judicial appointee
Monroe County District Attorney Mike Green will not be presiding as a judge in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York. President Barack Obama nominated Green to the court but Senate Republicans have blocked an up or down vote and Obama will be forced to nominate someone else. The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle has the story.
GOP sets sights on Gillibrand
The state Republican Party is spoiling for a chance to unseat New York’s junior senator in the upcoming election. Gillibrand is viewed by the GOP as a vulnerable incumbent in the normally Democratic-friendly state. The Albany Times-Union has this report.
Hydrofracking debate could drag on through 2012
The public comment period for the DEC’s new rules and regulations about hydrofracking is due to close on Jan. 11, but that will just signal the beginning of a long and tortuous journey for approval of gas permits that will likely wind its way through the Legislature before any gas drilling happens in the state. The Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin has this coverage.
