February 17, 2019 – Urban CNY

News

Governor Cuomo Announces Budget Amendment to Make Impacted Towns and Villages Whole from Changes to the AIM Program

by Urban CNY News
February 17, 2019

Proposal Would Use Additional Sales Tax Revenue from the Elimination of the Internet Tax Advantage to Support Impacted Municipalities Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced budget amendments to the FY 2020 Executive Budget will ensure towns and villages are not adversely impacted by changes to the Aid and Incentives to Municipalities program. The proposal would use additional sales tax revenue from the elimination of the internet tax advantage to keep towns and villages whole. Approximately $59 million in revenues for towns and villages are preserved through this action. To ensure locals receive these additional resources faster, the State will also implement the Internet sales tax requirements earlier, starting June 1 of this year as opposed to September 1, the date originally proposed in the Executive Budget. “The original proposal only impacted localities receiving a relatively small amount of money, but I have been contacted by mayors and local officials who say in these tough times it would still be a challenge for them,” Governor Cuomo said. “That is why we are revising the executive budget to use internet sales tax revenue to make these impacted localities whole.” The elimination of the internet tax advantage was included in Governor Cuomo’s FY 2020 Executive Budget and ensures that out-of-state merchants do not have a price advantage over the State’s retail community. New York’s brick and mortar retailers are currently at a disadvantage because many online retail competitors are not collecting sales tax. This unequal treatment is unfair to the retailers who do collect sales tax, the customers who pay sales tax, the public at large who is forsaking State and local revenues, and the people who depend on the public services supported by those revenues. As more retail sales migrate to online platforms, the importance of ensuring equal tax compliance has grown. Online providers supply a marketplace for third-party retailers to sell their products to consumers. The Executive Budget provides a consistent framework for collection of required sales taxes by marketplace providers, which will simplify sales tax enforcement and ease collection burdens for the retailers who sell through these platforms. On an annual basis, the elimination of the internet tax advantage is expected to generate $390 million in additional revenue for local governments.

Education News

Enrollment is Open for OCC’s Next Weekend College Class! It’s College That Fits Your Life

by Urban CNY News
February 17, 2019

Onondaga Community College is ready to welcome its next group of “Weekend College” students! The program provides students the opportunity to pursue a college degree during times that work best with their schedules. Weekend College classes are held Friday nights (5:30-9:30 p.m.) and Saturday’s (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) on the OCC campus. Financial Aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify. Enrollment for fall 2019 is now open. Classes begin Friday, August 23. Prospective students will be required to take placement exams for math, English and reading. Students who perform well on their placement exams will be able to complete coursework in 18 months. Four degree programs are being offered in fall 2019: Alcohol & Substance Abuse Counseling A.A.S. Business Administration, A.S. Criminal Justice, A.S. Early Childhood, A.A.S. An Associate of Science (A.S.) degree is designed to prepare a student for transfer to a 4-year institution to pursue their bachelor’s degree. An Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree is a career program which prepares students for employment. OCC’s partnership with SUNY Oswego will ensure students majoring in Business Administration or Criminal Justice a seamless transfer into a bachelor’s degree program which is offered through a combination of online and in-person classes at SUNY Oswego’s downtown Syracuse campus at Clinton Square. With this partnership, students can complete their associate and bachelor’s degrees at a SUNY price right here in Syracuse. More information about OCC’s Weekend College program is available at this website. Prospective students interested in speaking with a college representative can do so by contacting OCC’s Student Recruitment office at (315) 498-2221 or recruitment@sunyocc.edu.

News

State Announces Early Release of Snap Benefits to Aid New Yorkers Impacted by the Federal Government Shutdown

by Urban CNY News
February 17, 2019

All Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Recipients to Receive Benefits by March 7 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Statewide Food Drive Also Extended to Help Local Food Banks Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that all Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients will receive next month’s benefits no later than March 7 – approximately one week earlier than scheduled. The early release is intended to ease the burden on recipients that have been forced to stretch February’s benefits for more than six weeks because of the recent unprecedented shutdown of the federal government. “We will not allow the abject failure of leadership in Washington to jeopardize the ability of families to put food on the table,” Governor Cuomo said. “This early release of food benefits will provide a measure of relief to New Yorkers who rely on this critical program to make ends meet.” At the Governor’s direction, the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance is issuing March benefits earlier than usual for most recipients to mitigate the hardships caused by the so-called “SNAP gap.” This means many New Yorkers will see next month’s benefits appear approximately a week earlier than their normal schedule. About 2.7 million individuals and 1.5 million households rely on SNAP benefits to make ends meet. In December alone, New York State issued more than $374 million to help New Yorkers avoid food insecurity. The federal government directed states to issue SNAP benefits on Jan. 17 due to the government shutdown. Approximately 1.4 million households received their February benefits three weeks earlier than normal, to ensure sufficient funding was available. The regular benefits schedule for March was restored after the federal government reopened, causing some New Yorkers – especially those in New York City – to not see benefits until mid to late March. In addition to issuing SNAP benefits early, the Governor has extended the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Food Drive, which was set to conclude this week. Recognizing the increased strain on food banks and pantries, the Governor extended the food drive through the end of March to help state agencies collect additional food during a critical time for local banks and pantries. The food drive, co-sponsored by the Food Bank Association of New York State, calls on State agencies to collect food items or monetary donations for their local community food banks, food pantries, and other service-oriented programs. Over the past 18 years, state agencies have collaborated with community-based organizations to collect more than 587,000 pounds of food amounting to approximately 490,000 meals for those in need. The food is donated to the nine food banks that make up the Food Bank Association of New York State. Nearly 20,000 New Yorkers were furloughed during the federal shutdown and many more were working without pay for 35 days, leaving countless New Yorkers with no choice but to seek emergency food assistance for the first time. Also, as SNAP recipients exhaust their February benefits, food banks and pantries are expecting even greater demand, while dealing with limited resources. Members of the public interested in donating money or non-perishable food items that have not exceeded their expiration dates can visit the Food Bank Association’s website at www.feedingnys.org/donate. New Yorkers can also support these efforts by volunteering with their regional food bank. Anyone interested in volunteering can find information at www.feedingnys.org/volunteer. New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Acting Commissioner Mike Hein said, “We are working to help New Yorkers bridge the SNAP gap caused by the federal shutdown by getting March SNAP benefits to recipients earlier than usual. But we know many families will still be forced to seek assistance from their local food pantry. Everyone can play a role in this effort by donating food or money to help those in need.” “Thousands of New York’s families rely on vital assistance programs for access to nutritious foods that might otherwise not be available to them. As food insecurity rises and our local food banks face empty pantries, I encourage everyone who is able to donate to do so. I thank Governor Cuomo for extending the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Statewide Food Drive to help bridge the gap for those in need.” Added New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker Kathleen Stress, Board President of Food Bank Association of New York State said, “We commend the Governor’s outreach and the efforts of the state to ensure that those experiencing hardships are well cared for. The decision to release SNAP benefits early for March and the extension of food drives demonstrates the importance of coming together as communities to help those who are trying to make ends meet. The nine-member food banks of Food Bank Association of New York State last year provided over 150,000,000 meals in every county across New York State. The work of our association and its members is possible through the partnership of more than 5,000 community-based food pantries and institutions who assist in the distribution of food and services to New Yorkers who are struggling with food insecurity.”

Entertainment News

New Valet Parking Option Included in The Great New York State Fair’s Annual “Halfway to The Fair” Sale

by Urban CNY News
February 17, 2019

Gold Access Ride-All-Day Wristbands Also Part of Feb. 21 Sale The Great New York State Fair will roll out a new valet parking option for the 2019 Fair, offering an affordable convenience to fairgoers. To launch the new program, the Fair will offer up to 1,000 $20 valet parking vouchers for $12.50 plus fees during the annual “Halfway to the Fair” sale that begins at 6 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 21. Also available that day will be up to 1,000 weekday ride-all-day vouchers for the Wade Shows Midway with Gold Access for $17.50 plus fees. Midway vouchers can be upgraded to weekend access for $5 during the Fair. Valet parking vouchers can be bought here and Midway vouchers can be bought here, at the Fair’s official online sales site, etix.com. Vouchers will be sent via email. The sale ends at midnight, Feb. 21. “We’re continuing to diversify our parking options to give people a little more control and convenience where possible. This sale is a great way for people who may be interested in valet parking to see how it works for them. As with everything else we do, we’ll be very interested in feedback on this new program,” said Troy Waffner, Fair Director. “Like the fair’s new valet parking option, our Gold Access ticket has been a popular premium program for those wanting more convenience during their visit to the midway. I’m proud to offer Gold Access along with the ride wristbands as our part of the ‘Halfway to the Fair Sale,’” said Frank Zaitshik, owner, Wade Shows. Valet Parking Valet parking will be available every day of the Fair for $20. The dropoff and pickup area will be located on the access ramp to the Brown parking lot along State Fair Boulevard across from Gate 3. Drivers will leave their car keys with an attendant from Valet Park America, the Fair’s parking contractor. Drivers return to the dropoff area to get their vehicles back and will be able to use a phone application to be able to signal the attendants to have the vehicle ready at a specific time. A valet parking voucher is good for one use only and cannot be refunded if not used. Vouchers bought during the Feb. 21 sale are good for a single use, and only on a weekday. Purchasers can upgrade on site for weekend use for $5. With fees, the valet parking voucher will cost $12.90 during the Feb. 21 sale, with a limit of four vouchers per person. Ride voucher with Gold Pass With fees, each voucher will cost $18.01. During the Fair, weekday ride bracelets will cost $30 and a Gold Access card will cost $10 on weekdays and $15 on weekends. Buyers may purchase a maximum of four packages and will receive vouchers by email. A voucher is good for one weekday ride-all-day bracelet and one Gold Access pass when redeemed at the Wade Shows customer service booth on the Midway. Fairgoers using the voucher on weekends can upgrade to a weekend bracelet for $5. There will be a separate line for Gold Access pass holders at each ride, and a certain number of pass holders will be seated first. Gold Access cards are only good for one day. Wristbands are not recommended for children under 36″ as there are a limited number of rides they can safely ride. Parents with children under 48″ should check the height requirements before purchasing to make an informed decision about whether wristbands are the best value for their children. The Wade Shows Midway features more than 70 rides, including some of the world’s largest traveling roller coasters, along with carnival games and food booths. The lineup for rides for the 2019 Fair has not been finalized but general information on rides, including height requirements, can be seen here. Wade Shows is the nation’s third largest carnival company, according to industry publication Carnival Warehouse. Founded in 1841, the Great New York State Fair is America’s third largest state fair. The fair showcases the best of New York agriculture and provides top-quality entertainment. The 2019 Fair runs from August 21 to September 2. Information about the Fair can be found here. The New York State Fairgrounds is a 375-acre exhibit and entertainment complex that operates all year. A year-round schedule of events is available here. Find the Great New York State Fair on Facebook, follow @NYSFair on Twitter, on Snapchat at nysfair and enjoy photos from the Fair on Flickr. Also, New Yorkers are invited to send their ideas for the Great New York State Fair at statefairideas@agriculture.ny.gov.

Neighborhoods News Northside (north) Syracuse - North

How Does a 65,000+ lb. Newly-Constructed Modular Home Get to its Final Destination on Syracuse’s Northside this Monday? (HINT: Very Carefully)

by Urban CNY News
February 17, 2019

Syracuse-based housing and community development non-profit Home HeadQuarters commissioned construction of a two-story, 3-bedroom, 2.5 bath single-family modular home from modular home builder Manorwood Homes. It gets set Monday morning. The new modular home will be moved, via truck, from the former DeJulio’s store (664-666 Burnet Ave.) where it has been staged, to its awaiting foundation at 1108 Hawley Avenue on Syracuse’s Northside. The more than 65,000 pounds of modular home sections, that include everything from the front doorbell to the upstairs bathtub, will then be set, piece by piece, by a 100-ton crane at the site. Final interior and exterior trim, flooring and mechanical hook-ups will be done by Home HeadQuarters’ construction crew. Ultimately, this home will be sold to a first-time, low-income home buyer who has graduated from Home HeadQuarters’ HomeBuyer Education Course. Monday, February 18, beginning at 8am 1108 Hawley Avenue, Syracuse 13203 (Truck route from Teall Avenue) ***Route and crane operation subject to change due to extreme weather This new modular home takes the place of a vacant house that Home HeadQuarters demolished due to dangerously high levels of lead. The original structure, initially slated for substantial rehabilitation, was deemed infeasible once lead remediation costs alone were estimated to be more than $100,000. Modular building, which is all done inside a climate-controlled environment, helps manage costs and provide year-round construction, especially helpful for those communities like Syracuse with a limited building season. This particular new home project is made possible with support from the City of Syracuse, The NYS Attorney General’s Office, the Greater Syracuse Area Landbank and the New York State Affordable Housing Corporation.

Arrest of David Arnold for Multiple Charges of Sexual Misconduct with a Child

CNY Community Foundation to Premiere Lead Poisoning Documentary

15-Year-Old, Alexcia Lynch – Syracuse Police Release Homicide Investigation Timeline

Congressman Jim Clyburn (SC-06) Endorses John Mannion for Congress in NY-22

Van B. Robinson Common Council Chambers Weekly Schedule September 2 -6, 2024

Community Groups Plan President’s Day Protest of Trump’s ‘Fake Emergency’ — Denounce Wall and Attacks on Immigrants (@12 Noon Hanley Federal Building)

Governor Cuomo Announces Budget Amendment to Make Impacted Towns and Villages Whole from Changes to the AIM Program

Latinx Mixer Night and Native Gardens, followed by Community Dialogue Series with Bea González

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo Responds after Amazon Reverses New York City HQ2 Decision

Enrollment is Open for OCC’s Next Weekend College Class! It’s College That Fits Your Life

State Announces Early Release of Snap Benefits to Aid New Yorkers Impacted by the Federal Government Shutdown

New Valet Parking Option Included in The Great New York State Fair’s Annual “Halfway to The Fair” Sale

City of Syracuse Announces President’s Day Observance

Statement from Attorney General James on Declaration of National Emergency

How Does a 65,000+ lb. Newly-Constructed Modular Home Get to its Final Destination on Syracuse’s Northside this Monday? (HINT: Very Carefully)

Black Voices