News by Deborah Williams
News by Deborah Williams on South Shore Press
Only in New York: No ID to Vote, but Required to Buy Decongestant
Governor Kathy Hochul signed a host of new legislation claiming to strengthen voting protections and improve voter accessibility. Notably absent from her legislation is any effort to ensure election integrity and require photo ID at the polling station.
Hochul to Spend $100 Million on New York's Green New Deal projects
Governor Kathy Hochul plans to spend $100 million for phase one of a massive NY Green New Deal Project to cut the carbon footprint of Albany's Empire Plaza by 20%.
EdCOPS Act of 2024 Aims to Beef up Local Police Force Ranks
Are you considering becoming a police officer? Now may be the time to do it as Congress is looking to increase incentives to help police forces across New York State and the nation fill their dwindling ranks.
American Flags Should be 'Born in the USA' Says Congress
In a rare bi-partisan congressional effort, congress passed the "All American Flag Act requiring American flags purchased by the government to be entirely Made in America.
DOW Drops off a Cliff on Disappointing July Jobs Report.
The July jobs report offered nothing but bad news with just 114,000 jobs added when the US Department of Labor (DOL) expected 175,000. And, the US jobless rate ticked up to 4.5% - the highest since October 2021.
New York Slavery Reparations Committee to Have First Meeting
Earlier this year Governor Kathy Hochul established the New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies. New York is the only state to create such a group other than California. This Committee is about to have its first meeting and the law states they must come up with a slate of recommendations within one year.
New York Earns Dubious Distinction on Financial Distress
"Measuring the share of residents in financial distress is a good way to take the pulse of a state and see whether people are generally thriving or having trouble making ends meet. When you combine data about people delaying payments with other metrics like bankruptcy filings and credit score changes, it paints a good picture of the overall economic trends of a state," said Cassandra Happe, WalletHub Analyst.
Local Fire Companies Cry Foul Over Crippling Federal Mandates
Using the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as a battering ram, the Biden-Harris Administration is taking aim at volunteer fire companies across New York and the nation.
Taxpayers Foot the Bill for Andrew Cuomo's Legal Fees
Former Governor Cuomo spent $67,700 on a poll testing the waters of a potential political comeback. He also received a $565,000 check from the New York State Comptroller for legal fees he spent defending himself against charges that did not result in a conviction.
Suffolk County Judge Blocks Outside-Income Ban for Legislators
The outside income ban was part of a larger, previously passed pay raise package. The deal required a limit of $35,000 in outside income in exchange for the pay raise. The outside income limit part of the deal is now on hold due to the judge's ruling.
"Rome is Burning" but NYS Passed Hug a Sheep Day
Amid the crush of a financial crisis, a crime crisis, and an illegal immigrant crisis the New York state legislature and the Governor took the time to create a series of resolutions creating "Commemorative Days" for New York.
Hochul Signs Eight E-Bike and Lithium-Ion Battery Laws
Governor Kathy Hochul signed a package of eight bills aimed at raising awareness about the safe use of e-bikes and products that contain lithium-ion batteries.
Brother Hopes to Convince New York to Have a Gold Star Family License Plate
Gold Star Mother license plates are available in New York. But, there is no plate NY for family members who lost a loved one in the ultimate sacrifice to our country
Plates for Pisces but not Gold Star Families.
You can get a special license plate for just about anything in NY. You can even order personalized vanity plates. But, you can't get a Gold Star Family plate to honor and remember someone in your family who was killed while actively serving in the United States armed forces.
New York State Police Warn of E-ZPass Text Scam and Scam Calls Impersonating Police
New York State Police (NYSP) is warning people of a scam happening right now in NY.
Biden Drops Out of Presidential Race
Biden announces he will not run again. Will stay in office until end of term. South Shore Press is following statewide and national reaction.
The Conequences of Slamming the Brakes on Congestion Pricing
South Shore Press covered all the machinations around the NY budget negotiations and Governor Kathy Hochul's last minute "pause" of the controversial Congestion Pricing Scheme. Now that some time has passed, SSP is taking a look at the implications from that pause.
Court Blocks Biden Billion Dollar Student Loan Bailout
As national debt continues to soar, President Joe Biden announced $1.2 million in a new round of student loan debt transfer to taxpayers. This latest round of debt transfer would 'benefit' roughly 35,000 public service workers enrolled in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
Unemployment Soars Across the Country
DOL announced on X, "Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Initial claims were 243,000 for the week ending 7/13 (+20,000). Insured unemployment was 1,867,000 for the week ending 7/6 (+20,000). That's the highest level of unemployment since November 2021. The unemployment in Suffolk County sits at 3.5%.
Hochul Launches State-Wide Listening Tour To Ban of Smartphones in Schools
Governor Kathy Hochul is getting closer to issuing a statewide ban on smartphones in New York's schools. She kicked off a statewide listening tour focused on addressing smartphone use in schools.
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Letters to the Editor: Library Trustees Thank Taxpayers for Victories
I’m deeply grateful to the residents of the Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Library District for approving the library budget, as well as for re-electing me.
State Mandated Safe Boating Courses Coming Up
Long Islanders out on the water are looking to stay safe this summer.
South Shore Press Reporter Makes a Stop at the Grand Canyon
South Shore Press Reporter Robert Chartuk makes a stop at the Grand Canyon.