Provided photo: Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) stands alongside owners John and Sarah Bonczyk, Village of Brockport Manager Erica Linden, Brockport Mayor Ben Reed and Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce Director of Marketing & Communications Xander Rohring.

Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley

BROCKPORT – Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) recognized the Lift Bridge Book Shop on Wednesday for its induction into the New York State Historic Business Preservation Registry.

The shop, which opened its doors in 1972, has been a staple of the community, starting as a small store for paperbacks and bestsellers and becoming a hub for new and used books, toys, games and art supplies. Hawley is proud to be able to bestow this honor upon the Lift Bridge Book Shop and is grateful for its contributions to the community for over 50 years.

“For decades, the Lift Bridge Book Shop has served as a gathering place for our community,” said Hawley. “Since the day they first opened shop, they’ve been committed to enriching the lives of everyone who walks through their doors. I’m proud to recognize this incredible local business for its induction into the Historic Business Preservation Registry and thank the Lift Bridge team for their lasting impact in Brockport and beyond.”

The Historic Business Preservation Registry highlights New York businesses that have been in operation for at least 50 years and have contributed to their community’s history.

Governor seeks feedback from businesses facing uncertainty from higher fees on imported goods, loss of Canadian tourists

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Amid the economic turmoil created by President Trump’s chaotic tariffs, Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a new tariff resource guide (click here) to keep New Yorkers up-to-date on programs available for business owners who have been impacted by tariffs.

Additionally, the Governor announced a survey (click here) to allow business owners the opportunity to share how their businesses have been impacted by the federal government’s recently announced tariffs.

“New Yorkers and business owners all across the state have felt a sense of uncertainty when it comes to the impacts of President Trump’s callous tariffs on our imported goods,” Governor Hochul said. “No business should have to close shop due to these unfair and unwanted taxes that were imposed on states by the Trump administration. This resource guide will help provide individuals with the guidance they need to lower potential risk to their businesses and give New Yorkers a better understanding of how tariffs can impact them.”

Tariffs Impacts on the Economy and Tourism

Governor Hochul has heard from small and mid-sized businesses across the state who are worried about rising costs and their future. A recent survey from the National Small Business Association found that the majority of small businesses are concerned about tariffs and one in three are very concerned. Examples include North Country manufacturer Alcoa, which took an estimated $20 million hit on imports from Canada, and North Country Golf Club which is facing declines in businesses due to the decline in tourism from Canada.

Due to the tariff trade war with Canada, New York’s number one trade partner, and the rhetoric that Canada could be the “51st state,” impacts are widespread. Visitors from Canada are avoiding the U.S. and New York State.

Overall, cross-border traffic from Canada has plummeted since Trump implemented his tariff policies. The most recent data shows that there were 400,000 fewer Canadian visitors in May compared to the same period in 2024.

Bridge crossings over the Ogdensburg Bridge and the Champlain crossing in May were down 30 percent during that same time period from last year. In a recent North Country Chamber of Commerce survey, 66 percent of tourism businesses report a drop in Canadian customers and one in four businesses in the region may cut staff as a result. Reservations are down at hotels, campgrounds, local marinas, golf courses and other businesses that rely on visitors from Canada.

Chart from Sen. Schumer’s Office: These are a list of stations in Upstate NY that received funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, according to the NYS Association for Public Broadcasting, that would be at risk if the plan to defund public media were to become law.

Press Release, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer

 As the Senate prepares to vote on Trump’s plan to claw back over $1 billion in federal funding for America’s public radio and television stations, which could devastate communities across Upstate NY, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer today demanded the GOP block cuts that would hurt children, rural areas, and emergency preparedness in every corner of New York.

Schumer said that the GOP plan to strip funding from America’s public broadcasting would decimate funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which supports more than 1,500 locally-owned public radio and television stations including dozens in New York State. The senator broke down the impact of these cuts for Upstate NY public news outlets that receive funding from the CPB and vowed to lead the fight in the Senate against these alarming cuts.

“Our public TV and radio stations are the glue that keep so many of our communities connected & informed across Upstate NY and targeting them for radical funding cuts hurts all of Upstate,” Schumer said. “PBS and NPR and others are more than stations, they are a public service networks providing life-saving emergency alerts, educational content to children, and so much more at no cost.”

Funds for public broadcasting supports educational initiatives, rural areas, and disaster preparedness efforts across New York State. New York’s public TV and radio stations send emergency alerts during natural disasters, develop educational content, license music from local artists, and more.

These services are critical for New York’s communities. For example, with more severe weather across the country, timely weather alerts can save lives. In addition, for children not enrolled in formal pre-school, educational programming from public television ensures they can access educational content regardless of their families’ ability to pay, and teachers use worksheets and videos in local classrooms.

In New York State, dozens of recipients last year received more than $45 million in through the CPB, generating a significant local economic impact. According to NPR, the public broadcasting sector in New York supports nearly 4,000 jobs, including 1,125 direct positions, 1,271 indirect jobs through supply chain activity, and 1,321 induced jobs driven by household spending.

According to Northwestern University, nearly 55 million Americans have limited to no access to local news. According to PBS, 60 percent of its audience lives in rural communities, and its programming reaches more children than any of the children’s TV networks in a year. If passed, the GOP proposal would further limit access to local news for communities who depend on information from their local radio and television stations for vital information and services, devastating local communities who would get hit first and hardest.

Though historically funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting has been approved with bipartisan support, the House GOP last month passed legislation at President Trump’s request that would claw back more than $1 billion in bipartisan federal investments in the CPB.

Trump also issued an executive order stating no money from CPB can go to NPR, PBS or their affiliates which is currently being challenged in court. Trump’s FY 2026 budget request completely eliminates federal funding and closeout CPB.