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Assemblywoman Janet Duprey: "This has just been ridiculous." Photo Provided
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Paterson: Deal will keep parks open
ALBANY — New York Gov. David Paterson said Thursday that an agreement has been reached to have all 178 state parks open for the Memorial Day weekend.
"The Legislature has made the tough choices to my satisfaction that will enable us to open the parks," Paterson said. His administration had listed 41 parks and 14 of the state's 35 historic sites for closing, along with service cuts at others, to help close the state's budget gap.
Money for DEC
Paterson said negotiations that ended early Thursday morning would provide $11 million for full operations this year, effectively offset by money from the Environmental Protection Fund, which would be cut by about $74 million. The measure is also expected to keep the historic sites open this year, as well as Department of Environmental Conservation campgrounds targeted for closing.
"We've come to a deal to approximately cut about what I proposed in the original budget," Paterson said on WOR radio 710's "The John Gambling Show." "The bad news is it has taken about four days to find $11 million dollars to keep the parks open."
Unhappy constituents
Lawmakers wanted smaller cuts in the fund dedicated to conservation programs like buying land and recycling. They balked earlier in the week at Paterson's proposal linking those cuts to restored park funding. Meanwhile, they've been getting calls from constituents unhappy about park closings, especially with the warm weather and approaching holiday weekend.
The Senate received the draft late Thursday afternoon and planned to review it and take it up Friday, majority Democratic Conference spokesman Austin Shafran said. "We have a tentative agreement on a bill to keep the parks open for the rest of the year."
The Assembly was expected to consider it Thursday night.
According to administration officials, lawmakers still need to find another $2 billion to $2.5 billion in spending cuts to close the deficit and adopt a balanced budget of roughly $130 billion for this year. Democratic and Republican legislative leaders agreed Tuesday to have conference committees of rank-and-file legislators try to find more cuts based on broad parameters that staffs were to identify by Thursday. The budget was due April 1.
Paterson said he has proposed a balanced budget, which differs from Senate and Assembly proposals by about $100 million in health care and up to $800 million in education spending.
- Local News
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City school mulls new tax
A utility tax would force everyone to help cover the costs of public education, while reducing the amount property owners pay in terms of property taxes.
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Capital project continues for City School
School officials say it has been a long summer with some setbacks, but work is moving forward and the outcome will benefit students.
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Tribes celebrate cigarette-tax stay
St. Regis Mohawk will be included in the temporary stay on tribal cigarette sales-tax collection.
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Ti lakeshore zoning gets rewrite
Water quality and quality of life are being touted as components of revised Ticonderoga waterfront zoning.
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Construction begins on new sidewalk along School Street in Peru
Workers have begun installing a sidewalk along School Street in the hamlet of Peru that will allow safer access to school property for students walking to and from school during the busy morning and afternoon commutes.
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Champlain Telephone Employee Stock Ownership Plan approved
President and CEO Trent Trahan will sell his majority shares to the company's non-union workers. They will get stock based on their years of employment and will be reimbursed for them when they retire.
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Women in wartime: heros, helpmates, history makers
The annual commemoration of the Battle of Plattsburgh begins this week, culminating in a remarkable mix of events over next weekend, writes columnist Richard Frost.
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P-R wins 5 Associated Press awards
Press-Republican staff takes home five awards in the 2009-10 New York State Associated Press contest.
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Ellenburg man opens dive shop in brother's memory
As he copes with the loss of his younger brother, Archie Jones hopes to teach others about scuba diving, something Melvin Jones became passionate about before his death.
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Women offered chance to boost self image
Program gives participants an opportunity to look and feel their best.
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A day in paradise
Chris Fasolino opens a window on the peaceful, stunningly beautiful village of Amalfi in Italy.
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Bed Race deadline extended
People have more time to sign up teams for Sept. 11 Rotary Red Race.
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Of Interest: Sept. 5, 2010
PSU accepting spring '11 applications; Lake Placid School Board meeting set; Westport School Board agenda planned
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Business Briefs: Sept. 5, 2010
Labor Day donation; Deadline extended; Health forum; School program; Grant received.
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Farm Briefs: Sept. 5, 2010
Hay and pasture insurance expands; High-tunnel crops experience success; Online courses for beginning farmers debut; Local dairy recognized as eco-friendly farm.
- September 4, 2010
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City school mulls new tax
A utility tax would force everyone to help cover the costs of public education, while reducing the amount property owners pay in terms of property taxes.
-
Ti lakeshore zoning gets rewrite
Water quality and quality of life are being touted as components of revised Ticonderoga waterfront zoning.
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West Chazy meat market burns
D&D Meats and its upstairs apartments are now a total loss, but the owners' house next door was saved.
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U.S. education secretary listens to Plattsburgh
Plattsburgh City School was one of six districts statewide chosen to spearhead efforts to create a new teacher evaluation and peer assistance model. Arne Duncan stopped by recently to hear about the progress.
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Taller cell tower sought for Duane
Fifth dangerous crash on Route 30 in 13 months enrages cries for improved cell service.
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City school mulls new tax
