Avoca Getting State $$$ For Culvert Work

Governor Kathy Hochul says that more than $516 million dollars in funding is going to 216 Projects in 141 Communities Across NYS.  According to Houchl, over $1,000,000 of that money is going to Avoca for the replacement of the East Avenue culvert.   "New York State is making historic investments to modernize our infrastructure and we are committed to working with our partners in local government to help ensure that their bridges and culverts are ready to meet the challenges of global climate change," Governor Hochul said. "The BRIDGE NY program provides essential funding directly to local governments to enhance the safety, resiliency, sustainability and reliability of local infrastructure, allowing more than 140 bridges to better withstand extreme weather events and keep New Yorkers safe."

 

Auto Theft Is On The Increase Countywide

Steuben County District Attorney Brooks Baker says, there’s an increase in car thefts in the county.  "Stolen cars used to be a rarity here in Steuben County," Baker said.  "Now it seems like we're getting multiple reports daily about people stealing cars.  If it's unlocked, if the keys are left  in it, or even if it's somehow accessible or by 'hot wiring' which is now available through internet access, it's happening, and it's happening much more than it was before.  If think if you talk with Bath Village Police or Corning or Hornell Police, or the State Police or Sheriff's Deputies, they'll tell you: we are seeing more auto thefts than we've seen before."  

 

Gov Hochul Blocks A Cannabis Management Board Plan 

The New York Post has an article out that says Governor Hochul is stopping the state’s Cannabis Management Board from allowing marijuana from being sold at Farmer’s Markets and festivals.   The article goes on to say that this was something the state Cannabis Management Board wanted to see happen, but Hochul’s office was quoted as saying the plan was on hold and they say it might not happen at all.

 

Gillibrand's Small Farm Bill

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joined 9 of her Senate colleagues to introduce the Small Farm Conservation Act, legislation that would help small farms access federal conservation programs delivered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

Specifically, the Small Farm Conservation Act would:

1.       Create a subprogram within EQIP tailored to support small farms and ranches;

2.       Establish a national subprogram coordinator and one in each State;

3.       Streamline the application and approval processes for small farmers and ranches;

4.       Create a bonus payment for farms under 50 acres employing soil health practices;

5.       Allow small farms to enroll on a continuous basis instead of waiting for the annual ranking period; and

6.       Require the Natural Resources Conservation Service to train field staff on conservation tailored for small-scale agriculture and to conduct outreach to small-scale farmers and ranchers.

The Small Farm Conservation Act is additionally cosponsored by Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Angus King (I-ME), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jack Reed (D-RI), and John Fetterman (D-PA).