GCEDC calls pause on new projects ‘egregious infringement on our local decision-making rights’

The State Legislature is expected to pass a moratorium on new data centers, pausing projects for a year.

The Assembly and Senate could vote on the moratorium this week, and if it passes would then go to the governor.

The Genesee County Economic Development Center is working to site a nearly $20 billion data center at the STAMP site in the town of Alabama.

That project has been bitterly opposed by many environmentalists due to its presence by the wildlife refuge. The neighboring Tonawanda Indian Nation also has railed against the project, claiming it would be disruptive to the Tonawanda Seneca Nation.

The GCEDC said the data center would bring about $700 million in municipal revenues over the next 30 years. Building the data center is expected to employ 1,200 construction workers over five years, with 125 employees then working at the site.

The project seeks about $1.4 billion in sales tax exemptions – $715,944,000 locally and $715,944,000 to the state. Stream also is seeking an exemption on the 1.0 percent mortgage tax, which totals over $31 million with $15,613,500 each locally and to the state.

STREAM US Data Centers would operate on 90 acres out the 1,250 acres at STAMP, and would consume 500 megawatts of electricity.

Mark Masse, president and CEO of GCEDC, issued this statement today about the roposed legislation for a moratorium on data centers:

“The proposed data center moratorium legislation is yet another effort by the New York State Legislature to thwart home rule and local decision making.

“In this instance, the data center project at the Science & Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP) in the town of Alabama could potentially have shovels in the ground in a matter of weeks pending local government approvals.

“The legislation requires the development of regulations to mitigate environmental impacts and to assess any cost increases to electricity customers due to power consumption.

“The proposed STREAM US Data Centers project is undergoing a thorough and rigorous environmental review.

“It has already been established that electric usage would not have any impact on residential utility bills, water consumption and discharge would be minimal due to a closed loop cooling system, the backup power source consists of a single propane generator per building, there would be minimal displacement of wildlife and while up to three studies are ongoing to assess noise impacts, information to date indicates that noise levels would meet all applicable local noise thresholds.

“If this legislation passes and prevents this development from moving forward at this stage, it would be an egregious infringement on our local decision-making rights.”

Democrats in the state Senate and Assembly want a one-year pause of new data centers so the state has time to enact strict regulations around their operations and energy use. Legislators want assurances the data centers and their massive energy consumption won’t spike rates for other users and won’t overwhelm the power grid.

If enacted, New York would be the first with a state-wide temporary ban on new large-scale data centers.

Congresswoman says former governor misled Congress about nursing home directive

Press Release, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24), today led a letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche requesting a status update and urging the Department of Justice to act on the criminal referral of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo for allegedly making false statements to Congress regarding his administration’s handling of nursing home policies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The referral, originally transmitted by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, stems from testimony Governor Cuomo provided before the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic during its investigation into New York’s March 25, 2020 nursing home directive and the subsequent coverup of nursing home fatalities.

The Select Subcommittee reviewed approximately 550,000 pages of documents and conducted numerous witness interviews, ultimately concluding that substantial evidence exists indicating Cuomo made multiple materially false statements to Congress concerning his involvement in drafting a New York State Department of Health report, the report’s purported peer review process, and the role of outside individuals and organizations in shaping its conclusions.

The letter highlights the devastating impact of the nursing home directive, which resulted in more than 9,000 COVID-positive patients being admitted or readmitted to nursing homes, and notes that families across New York continue to seek answers and accountability for the loss of their loved ones.

“Thousands of New York families suffered unimaginable loss during the pandemic and deserve the truth about the decisions that were made and the actions that followed,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “The evidence assembled by Congress raises serious concerns that former Governor Cuomo knowingly misled Congress while under oath in an effort to avoid accountability for one of the most consequential public health failures in New York history. No one is above the law, regardless of their position or political ambitions. The Department of Justice must follow the facts, provide transparency regarding this referral, and ensure that the American people can have confidence that justice is applied equally to everyone.”

Press Release, Independent Living of the Genesee Region

BATAVIA – Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) will host a free Lunch & Learn for individuals interested in becoming Certified Family or Youth Advocates on Tuesday, June 16, at 12 p.m. at the Crickler Executive Business Center, 319 W. Main Street, Batavia, NY.

The free informational session is designed for people who want to use their lived experience to support families, youth, and their community. Attendees will learn about the certification process, the role of Family and Youth Advocates, and how advocacy work can help others navigate challenges while building valuable skills and creating paid opportunities.

Registration is required with a light lunch provided. For more information, contact rfrank@wnyil.org or call (585)815-8501, x406.

About Independent Living of the Genesee Region

Independent Living of the Genesee Region is part of the WNY Independent Living Inc. Family of Agencies—a peer-directed organization dedicated to breaking down barriers, promoting civil rights, and enhancing the quality of life for people with disabilities. WNYIL achieves this through relentless advocacy, strong partnerships, impactful programs, responsible practices, and the incorporation of individual life experiences. For more information, visit: ILGR.org.

Press Release, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) is demanding action to combat New York’s physician workforce shortage by addressing administrative backlogs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Currently, an administrative bottleneck within HHS’ Office of Global Affairs (OGA) is preventing hundreds of qualified, foreign-trained physicians from beginning their service around the United States, including at healthcare facilities in some of New York’s most rural and medically underserved areas.

“International medical graduates are absolutely critical to New York’s physician workforce, especially in rural areas of our state,” said Senator Gillibrand. “New York’s healthcare providers cannot afford to lose qualified doctors to administrative red tape. I’m urging HHS to immediately address these backlogs so that New Yorkers can get the high-quality care that they deserve.”

International medical graduates make up over one-third of New York’s physician workforce, more than in nearly every other state. Persistent clinician shortages, which have been reported at medical centers across New York, have a devastating impact on patient care, increasing wait times, delaying patient care, and overburdening providers.

Physician shortages are particularly acute in New York’s rural and medically underserved areas. As Senator Gillibrand notes in her letter, “A 2025 report highlights that 16 of the state’s rural counties face alarming gaps in care, with several counties lacking even a single pediatrician or OB-GYN. On average, these counties have only four primary care physicians per 10,000 residents, which is less than half the statewide ratio.”

To improve care in these areas, New York hospitals rely on the J-1 visa waiver program, which allows international medical graduates to waive their two-year home residency requirement and stay in the United States if they commit to working in a Health Professional Shortage Area. However, monthslong delays processing J-1 waiver recommendations is exacerbating physician shortages, preventing hundreds of qualified physicians from beginning their service and creating challenges for New York hospitals creating staffing plans for the upcoming year. HHS has not provided a timeline for improvements of this process.

Press Release, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney’s Office

WAHSINGTON, DC — Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) announced that her office will host a webinar with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regarding the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program.

The AFG Program provides much-needed assistance to firefighters and first responders, helping fire departments and emergency response organizations fund training, equipment, protective gear, vehicles, and other critical resources.

The program is administered by FEMA and is designed to strengthen emergency response capabilities and enhance public safety in communities across the country. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear directly from a FEMA Fire Program who will provide guidance on the current grant application process and answer questions from prospective applicants.

“Firefighters and first responders put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “This webinar will help connect local departments and emergency personnel with federal resources that can strengthen their operations and better equip them to serve the people of Upstate New York.”

What: FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Webinar

When: Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 6:00 PM ET

Where: Webinar will be held virtually via Zoom

RSVP to: NY24.RSVP@mail.house.gov

Interested participants are encouraged to submit questions in advance to ensure the presentation can be tailored to specific areas of interest. Questions may be submitted by email with your RSVP.

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the results of a survey to collect feedback from nearly 600 educators statewide at the conclusion of New York’s first phone-free school year — and the numbers speak for themselves.

Teachers overwhelmingly report that without smartphone distractions their students are more active in class discussion, more engaged with their peers, and more focused on their assignments.

Schools across New York State implemented one of the nation’s strongest phone-free policies at the start of the school year in September 2025, in line with the requirements of the distraction-free schools law that was enacted by Governor Hochul in May 2025.

“I successfully fought for New York schools to go phone-free because our kids succeed when they’re learning and growing, not clicking and scrolling – and these survey results show our nation-leading policy is working,” said Governor Hochul. “Teachers overwhelmingly report that without constant smartphone distractions, students are more focused on learning and more engaged with their peers. These are results we can all be proud of, and I congratulate New York students and educators as we near the end of an outstanding school year.”

End-of-Year Survey Results

The Governor’s Office received 585 total responses, representing all regions across the state, grade levels, and roles in schools, to its end-of-year survey on distraction-free learning.

Some key takeaways from the results included:

• Overwhelmingly positive reception: 80% said that implementing a phone-free policy has delivered positive results for their school.
• Classroom behavior and engagement: 76% reported positive changes in classroom behavior, such as improved attention, respect for peers, and following directions, and 76% said student engagement increased. The most commonly observed forms of engagement were more active participation in discussions (311 respondents), improved peer collaboration (282), and better focus on assignments (273).
• Educators reported improved effectiveness: 75% said their ability to teach effectively improved.
• Social connections improved, bullying declined: 80% saw student social connections improve. 60% reported a decline in bullying and cyberbullying incidents.

More specific positive feedback included:

Teacher in the Capital Region: “Great improvement. Stick to your beliefs on this one. It is working. Kids are actually socializing, talking, discussing and it is really good to see.”

School support staff in Western New York: “It is just so wonderful seeing kids being kids again. Without the draw to the cell phone, the students are engaging with each other again. It is so heartwarming to watch!”

School Administrator on Long Island: “This has taught students to focus better and to be without their phones. It has encouraged more collaboration during free time (i.e. students playing board games with one another in the cafeteria)”

New York State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said, “Every student deserves a learning environment that is engaging and designed to support their success. Providing access to schools that support student focus helps ensure that students can fully participate in high-quality instruction, build meaningful connections with their peers and educators, and develop the knowledge and skills they need for the future. We remain committed to supporting efforts that foster positive school climates where teaching and learning remain at the center of the educational experience.”