WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joe Morelle voted to pass the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024, a critical step towards fully funding the federal government and investing in the programs and services that support families across the United States. The $460 spending bill passed the House, 339-85.
“This funding package makes critical investments designed to uplift families, keep our neighborhoods safe, support our military, strengthen our economy, and more,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I’m proud to have helped craft this legislation which not only delivers for our communities but prevents the enactment of harmful policies proposed by House Republicans, including measures to restrict women’s reproductive freedoms and reduce law enforcement’s ability to combat gun violence.”
Highlights of the appropriations package include investments in:
Bolstering Innovation in Rochester and across the country:
$99.4 million for the University of Rochester’s Laboratory for Laser Energetics to conduct advanced scientific research in inertial confinement fusion;
$41 million for the Regional Technology and Innovation Hub Program to create geographically-distributed “regional technology hubs,” focusing on technology development, job creation, and expanding U.S. innovation capacity. Last year, Rochester was designated to be a Regional Technology Hub as a part of the New York Semiconductor Manufacturing and Research Technology Innovation Corridor (NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub);
$9.1 billion for the National Science Foundation to support their cutting-edge research;
$175 million for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Program, to help small and medium sized American manufacturers create and preserve jobs.
Supporting Servicemembers and Veterans
$121 billion for Veterans Affairs (VA) medical care to provide essential health services for millions of veterans;
$17.1 billion for the Toxic Exposures Fund to provide care to veterans who were exposed to toxic substances while they served—including 7.4 million veterans this year alone;
$3.1 billion for Homeless Assistance Programs to assist veterans who may be experiencing homelessness and their families.
Uplifting Our Families:
$326 million for the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) to help low-income people reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient;
$7.03 billion for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), which will ensure the program is fully funded for FY24;
$16 billion for Project-Based Rental Assistance to continue to house more than 1.2 million low-income households nationwide;
$345 million for the Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes to protect families from exposures to lead paint, the lead-contaminated dust and soil that lead paint creates, along with other health hazards in homes;
$57.5 million for Housing Counseling Assistance for renters, homeowners, and those considering homeownership.
Investing in Law Enforcement:
$664.5 million for Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) programs to place more police officers on the streets of our communities and strengthen community relations;
$713 million, the highest funding level ever, for grants provided by the Office on Violence Against Women.
Protecting Our Environment:
$9.2 billion for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to combat the climate crisis;
$2.8 billion for Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds, including $1.4 billion in Community Project Funding for drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater management projects across the country;
$1.2 billion for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to support programs to help control or eradicate plant and animal pests and diseases that can be crippling to U.S. producers including $500,000 for research towards the eradication of the Spotted Lanternfly;
$6.4 billion in funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA);
$5 million for the Great Lakes Authority to support the areas of the watershed of the Great Lakes and the Great Lakes System, including New York State.
Congressman Morelle also secured over $11.5 million in funding for local organizations who submitted requests through the Fiscal Year 2024 Community Project Funding process, including:
Charles Settlement House: Teen Center—$652,330
City of Rochester Police Department: Gunshot Detection System—$195,000
City of Rochester: Public Market Expansion—$850,000
City of Rochester: REJob Training Facility—$850,000
Episcopal SeniorLife Communities, Inc.: Middle Income Senior Housing Development—$1,000,000
Monroe County Sheriff’s Office: Regional Investigative Operations Center (RIOC)—$940,000
Oak Orchard Harbor—$725,000
Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority: ADA Compliant Bus Stops—$500,000
Rochester Institute of Technology: Battery Prototyping Center—$1,250,000
RochesterWorks, Inc.—$1,616,270
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Rochester, NY Inc.: Westmoreland House–$400,000
Town of Gates: Community Park Updates—$500,000
Town of Rush: New Water District—$500,000
University of Rochester: Advanced Quantum Research Equipment—$1,250,000
Village of Webster: Community Access Project—$400,000
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024 includes funding for six of the twelve appropriations bills required to be passed by Congress once per fiscal year. The six bills included in this legislation are: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies; Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies; Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies; Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies; Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies; and Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies.
Press Release, State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt
ALBANY – State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt, Deputy Republican Leader Andrew Lanza, Senator Thomas O’Mara, Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee and Senator Bill Weber, Ranking Member of the Budget and Revenue Committee today sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins urging the adoption of the Senate Republican Conference’s priorities that are included in their comprehensive “A New Hope for NY Agenda.”
Rob Ortt
With the Senate and Assembly expected to vote on their One-House Budgets next week, negotiations will soon be accelerating on the FY 2025 State Budget. With this in mind, the Senate Republican Conference is urging the adoption of several key economic, public safety and quality-of-life proposals that would directly benefit millions of hardworking, taxpaying New Yorkers.
“The lack of affordability in the Empire State has clearly reached crisis proportions, with thousands of New Yorkers fleeing to more affordable states,” stated Senate Republican Leader Ortt. “The high taxes in our State have exacerbated this crisis, while also directly contributing to our poor business climate. Our conference has put forward common sense recommendations as we enter the budget process. We must address the challenges that are currently confronting the hardworking, law-abiding citizens of our state.”
At the start of the 2024 legislative session, the Republican Conference unveiled “A New Hope For The Empire State.” The 2024 agenda outlines a plan that prioritizes the needs of New Yorkers. The “New Hope” agenda reflects a commitment to responsible stewardship of tax dollars, to jump-starting our slow economic recovery, and restoring common sense to our criminal justice system. It also stands in stark contrast to Governor Hochul’s proposed budget, a misguided plan that taxes too much, spends too much, and reflects the wrong priorities.
In the letter to the Senate Majority Leader, the following measures were highlighted as key budget priorities that should be rejected in the Governor’s Executive Budget:
Reject the additional $2.4 billion in funding Governor Hochul has proposed for migrants — $4.3 billion over 2 years;
Withhold resources and funding to schools who do not protect Jewish students and/or support the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement. We must work to provide safe learning environments on college campuses in an effort to combat antisemitism;
Reject the Governor’s plan to alter the School Aid formula to eliminate the “save harmless” clause for Foundation Aid – a misguided change that would result in direct funding cuts for 337 largely rural and suburban school districts across the state;
Reject the Governor’s budget language allowing five more prisons to be closed. Additional prison closures would undermine public health and safety, destabilize local economies, and lead to more dangerous work conditions for New York’s courageous Correction Officers.
Reject the inadequate and inequitable funding levels the Governor has proposed for New York’s critical transportation infrastructure. We must ensure funding parity between Upstate and Downstate infrastructure funding by putting NYSDOT and MTA capital programs on an equal footing, and by supporting investment in local roads and bridges through increased Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) base aid.
Press Release, NYS Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association, Inc.
ALBION – Two weeks after four officers were injured by a female inmate at the medium-security correctional facility, eight officers were injured yesterday by an inmate who repeatedly attacked them as they attempted to escort the inmate to the infirmary.
Six officers needed to be treated at an outside hospital for their injuries after the attack.
Initially a response was called because the inmate had become irate and began throwing chairs and threatening officers in the visit room. Two officers approached the inmate and ordered the inmate to calm down. Their orders were ignored.
The officers attempted to place the inmate in a body hold. The inmate began wildly throwing punches at the officers. Additional staff arrived and assisted in forcing the inmate to the floor. Still extremely combative on the floor, handcuffs were applied. Once in handcuffs, the inmate became compliant.
Inside the infirmary, the inmate began making threats at officers again, stood up and became aggressive. Staff had to apply body holds and force the inmate to the ground, multiple times. On the ground, the inmate kicked violently at staff until they were able to restrain the inmate’s legs. The inmate was placed in a chair, and finally remained compliant until evaluation.
Two officers sustained shoulder, back, knee, dizziness and a headache after the incident. They were treated by medical staff at the facility and remained on duty.
Six officers were transported to Medina Hospital for treatment of broken rib, toe, jaw, back, arm, shoulder, elbow, knee injuries and shortness of breath. The officers were treated and released from the hospital and did not return to duty.
The inmate, 30, is serving a two- to four-year sentence after being convicted for Criminal Contempt 1st in Seneca County in 2022. The inmate is eligible for parole in July of 2024.
“To have eight officers injured gives you a picture of the level of uncontrollable violence that occurred in this latest attack,” said Kenny Gold, Western Region Vice President for NYSCOPBA. “The aftermath is six officers are now off duty because of their injuries and an inmate that returns to the facility with, if lucky, a slap on the wrist because of non-existent discipline. To have inmates teeing off on our members at Albion, or any jail for that matter is unacceptable. How many times can we report our brothers and sisters going to the hospital before the lawmakers change their pro criminal policies?”
Editor’s Note: NYSCOPBA officials said the inmate is transgendered and referred to as a “he” in the official report.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 March 2024 at 11:49 am
ALBION – Two people were sentenced to state prison today in Orleans County Court by Judge Sanford Church.
Barron Williams, a former inmate at the Orleans Correctional Facility, received a 3- to 6-year sentence in state prison for promoting prison contraband in the first degree.
Williams, 26, is now incarcerated at the Wyoming Correctional Facility in Attica, serving a five-year sentence for criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree in the Bronx.
Williams rejected a plea offer in the case and went to trial and was convicted. He had a toothpick container that was sharpened to be a weapon.
Susan Howard, assistant district attorney, prosecuted the case in a three-day trial in December.
In the other sentencing today, Andrew Coley, 25, of Albion was sentenced to three years in prison for second-degree assault for allegedly choking and hitting an 85-year-old man in Carlton that Coley was living with.
Joe Cardone, the district attorney, said Coley already has a long criminal history and deserves time in prison after choking the elderly man, who then suffered a slight stroke.
Coley apologized in court to his family.
In other cases, a former Albion resident who now lives in Middleport was arraigned for third-degree burglary, petty larceny and criminal mischief in the fourth degree.
Michael R. Bauer, 38, allegedly broke into the Plaza Liquor Store in Albion on Aug. 20, damaging the building and some of the merchandise.
Bauer is accused of smashing the front window and damaging the door frame. An investigation by the Albion Police Department determined there was approximately $2,000 damage to the building, and $336 in damage to alcohol bottles. About $90 worth of alcohol and cash also were stolen, police said.
• A man with the formal name of Raine, who is also known as Izzie Barnes, pleaded guilty to possessing a sexual performance of a child.
Barnes of Medina faces up to six months in the county jail and 10 years of post-release supervision when he is sentenced on May 8. He has no prior criminal history and may have be register as a sex offender.
The Center for Missing & Exploited Children detected Barnes accessed a video of a girl younger than 16 in a sexual act, Cardone said in court. Law enforcement seized Barnes laptop and discovered he possessed the video.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 March 2024 at 9:20 am
ALBION – With the reopening of the Main Street lift bridge pushed back a few months until September, the Village of Albion Department of Public Works is modifying its plan for street paving this year.
Jay Pahura, DPW superintendent, was planning to pave East Bank and Ingersoll streets, which have seen increased traffic, especially with heavy vehicles, due to the bridge being closed and traffic diverted to the Ingersoll lift bridge.
“That detour route has just been beat to death,” Pahura said this morning.
Those streets will continue to be in heavy demand until September. The DPW can’t shut down those streets for milling and paving because “there would be no where to put the traffic,” Pahura said.
The DPW will make some emergency repairs to those streets but an extensive repaving will have to pushed back until 2025.
The village this year will instead repave East Park Street from Main to Clarendon streets, and then side streets off East Park: Herrick, Temperance and Reynolds as well as repaving Orchard Street near the Lake Country Pennysaver. Orchard will have drainage added, too.
Pahura said the village uses CHIPS money from the state for repaving. Those streets with CHIPS funds need to hold up at least a decade. That’s why he didn’t have the East Bank and Ingersoll repaved before the bridge was closed. Those streets with new pavement would have quickly deteriorated and not held up for the 10-year threshold, he said.
The repaved streets will be milled with new pavement then put down. Pahura said the bids haven’t been opened yet for the materials.
The local towns and villages will coordinate a paving schedule for sharing equipment and scheduling the milling company and paver.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 6 March 2024 at 8:51 am
Nicole Tuohey denied because she needs help answering questions from medical personnel
Nicole Tuohey
MEDINA – Nicole Tuohey is hoping a petition to the FDA will convince them to allow her to give blood. Because she cannot sit alone with medical personnel and answer questions about her health, she has been denied her the right to give blood.
From the day she was born, Nicole has had to fight to be like other people.
Born with Triple X Syndrome, the daughter of David and Mary Lou Tuohey, doctors told her parents she would never walk, talk, go to school, ride a bike or do any of the things other kids do.
She has proven them wrong, and now she is out to win another fight – the right to save lives.
Nicole, 33, helps her mother in the store with fundraising for the Alzheimer’s Association and National Disabilities Month She makes links out of construction paper and then joins them together as they are sold.
She makes bracelets to sell as a fundraiser, and now she wants to give blood, but has been turned down. Every week, she points to her arm and looks at her mother, who repeatedly has to tell her, “Not yet.”
“It doesn’t make sense when so many people need blood and here you have a healthy young lady who is begging to give and they won’t let her,” her mother said.
Mary Lou has written a petition to the FDA requesting they allow her to sign for Nicole, so she can give blood. Mary Lou has legal authority to sign for Nicole in all facets of her life.
“It is heartbreaking,” Mary Lou said. “I’ve signed for her heart surgery and her brain surgery, but they won’t let me sign for something as simple as this.”
Mary Lou is asking the public to stop in at Case-Nic Cookies at 439 Main St and sign her petition.
“It will mean the world to Nicole,” Mary Lou said.
The petition will be available there until the end of March.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 March 2024 at 8:22 am
Provided photos
CARLTON – Albion eighth-graders Anakin Bowman and Brayden Lindke stand by a repainted “Fording Place” historic marker on the pole at the corner of Oak Orchard Road and Clark’s Mills Road in Carlton. Bowman and Lindke are in the eighth grade enrichment class.
The marker from 1932 was recently restored by Melissa Ierlan of Clarendon, who has scraped and refurbished about 40 of the markers.
The Fording Place marker is north of a shallow part of the Oak Orchard River where Native Americans and early pioneers would cross. “The Oak Orchard Trail from Batavia to Ontario crossed the creek here.”
Here is how the marker looked before it was cleaned up and repainted.
Provided photos: Assemblyman Steve Hawley is shown with Bessie the Cow and Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard Ball.
Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley
ALBANY – Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) attended the New York Farm Bureau’s Taste of New York Reception in Albany on Monday.
The event was hosted in the Empire State Plaza Convention Center and attended by Farm Bureau members and public officials from around the state. During this time, Hawley met with local farmers and members of the Farm Bureau about the importance of New York agriculture.
New York is one of the leading states for agriculture, the fifth-largest producer of dairy in the nation and has roughly seven million acres of farmland. The industry has also created nearly 200,000 jobs, with the vast majority of farms in the state being family-owned. Hawley is proud to have been able to attend this event and hopes it will bring more awareness to one of the state’s largest industries.
“It was great to meet with so many New Yorkers yesterday who share a passion for local agriculture,” Hawley said. “As a farmer once myself, I have a special appreciation for this industry. From the grocery store to the food in your pantry, we all rely on local farms like the ones we have here in Western New York. Holding this event in Albany will shine a light on this vital industry and bring more attention to our family-owned farms.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 March 2024 at 3:20 pm
Provided photo
YATES – A tractor-trailer driver went off the road and died Monday in Orleans County, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office said today.
Lebert Z. Cleveland, 59, of Lancaster was southbound on Niagara-Orleans County Line Road at about 2:50 p.m. when he left the east shoulder of the roadway, causing some lawn damage and coming to rest in a front yard.
Cleveland was pronounced deceased after being transported to Medina Memorial Hospital. Medina and Lyndonville firefighters both performed CPR on Cleveland, who was taken by ambulance, said Jeff Gifaldi, chief deputy for the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.
There is no cause of death yet, but an in-vehicle camera shows the driver went unconscious prior to driving off the road, Gifaldi said.
BATAVIA – There 216 students from Genesee Community College named to Provost’s List. Students honored on the Provost’s List have maintained part-time enrollment and earned a quality point index of 3.75 (roughly equivalent to an A) or better.
Provided photos: Front row from left includes Faith Baker, Taylor Frentz, Evelyn Phillips, Emma Jacobs and Jesse Cudzilo. Back row includes YMCA board member Dean Bellack, Emiliana Batista, Jacob Rissew, Dahvid Anderson, Addison Paul, Brandon Christiaansen, Henry Winters and Camryn Eick.
Press Release, Medina Central School
MEDINA – Medina students have assisted the YMCA with some projects to make the facility better for the public.
The site, the former Medina Armory, has been a YMCA since 1997. Now residents take exercise classes, use the workout room and participate in afterschool programs at the site.
Over the years the Y has replaced the roofing, lighting and the exercise rooms. They have launched capital campaigns to modernize the facility that included a handicapped accessibility ramp, a vestibule, lobby expansion for a social space, a child watch area, two unisex bathrooms and shower areas to make the space as functional as possible.
Unfortunately, there are still areas that need to be improved and reconfigured such as the women’s locker room and a basement kitchen. The locker room space is equipped with two private showers, an oak bench and lockers, some original to the building and also made out of solid oak. Sadly, some of the lockers had been sold off over time.
“This facility is so unique and we want to make it the best for our patrons,” said Jesse Cudzilo, the Y executive director. “There is damage to the floors, the showers need to be replaced and it is somewhat of an awkward layout. Since we are community partners, we decided to tap our community to see if we could get some help in the remodel.”
He reached out to Medina Junior-Senior High School Counselor Audralee Doll, who put him in touch with Technology and Engineering Education teacher Mike Lepkyj. He jumped at the opportunity to give his students a chance to use their skills.
“This is a great opportunity for my Interior Design students,” he said. “They will get some real-world experience and a chance to help out an organization that does so much for our community.”
On Feb. 16, the class showed up for their initial walk through of the space and took measurements of the room and the features that needed to be incorporated. The students seemed excited about the project.
When they got back to the classroom, they broke into groups to start their design process.
Brandon Christiaansen, front, and Jacob Rissew measure inside the YMCA.
Student Emma Jacobs says she has been a member of the Y for over a year and she is excited to put her vision into her proposal.
“When I go there, I am always thinking of what they could do to improve it,” she said. “I have a lot of ideas and I am really stoked to actually work on a project that is for something in the real world.”
Classmate Evelyn Phillips said she is enjoying the creative process. “It’s really fun and I am looking forward to reimagining the spaces and make them more practical.”
Mr. Lepkyj says the students will work on about five proposals to show Mr. Cudzilo and the Board of the YMCA. “What an amazing thing to be able to put on their resume,” said Mr. Lepkyj. “How many high school students can say they designed a space for a local organization?”
Cudzillo also contacted Orleans/Niagara BOCES’ Principal Nicole Goyette. She told him that the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center’s Building Trades students with their teacher Matt Anastasi would love to assist with the rehab and construction of the space.
“We are very excited about the partnerships with these classes,” Mr. Cudzilo. “It will be a lot of work. We firmly believe that when kids are invested in their community it becomes a source of pride for them. I can’t wait to see their vision for the space and I think their input will be invaluable. We are hoping that this generation coming up will embrace the history of this facility and we can pass the torch to them to keep it viable for generations to come. Our goal is to leave this building better than how we found it.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 March 2024 at 10:41 am
Social welfare examiners need extra time to get caught up
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature has authorized the Department of Social Services to allow some workers to come in on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The office won’t be open to the public on Saturday, but the four hours will allow the short-staffed DSS more time to process often time-consuming applications, said Jack Welch, the county’s chief administrative officer.
The county currently has several vacancies among the social welfare examiners who process cash assistance and temporary housing cases. That has made it difficult to keep up with work during regular office hours.
These workers determine eligibility for cash assistance, temporary housing and other benefits. The temporary housing applications have seen a big increase with the rise in the homeless population, said Holli Nenni, the DSS commissioner.
The social welfare examiners are highly-skilled and knowledge-based, and determining the eligibility often is time-consuming with many referrals, she said.
The examiners check very stringent eligibility standards, Nenni said. The potential recipients are screened for drug use and a domestic violence history. The staff check employment. If the applicants aren’t working, the staff need medical information on why the applicants may be unable to work. There could be other factors why an applicant can’t work, too, requiring further assessment.
DSS has to meet deadlines from the state on how quickly cases can be determined, Nenni said.
“This is only temporary until we get caught up,” she said about the Saturday hours.
The current social welfare examiners won’t be mandated to work on Saturdays. The regular work weeks are 37.5 hours. They will get their regular hourly rate for 2.5 hours and then overtime for hours beyond 40 in a week.
Nenni said she appreciates the staff willing to come in for the four hours on Saturdays.
“It says a lot to their dedication to their clients and their job,” she said.
ALBION – This past weekend, members of Albion Central School’s 6th-9th grade Science Olympiad team traveled to St. John Fisher University in Rochester to compete in a regional competition.
The team includes Brad Pierce, Payton Babcock, Charles Warren, Jalil McPhatter, Sophie Markle and William Fisher.
Purple Eagles placed in the following events:
Anatomy and Physiology – Brad Pierce and Payton Babcock, 6th place
Ecology – William Fisher and Brad Pierce, 4th place
Experimental Design – Charles Warren and Brad Pierce, 3rd place
Fossils – William Fisher and Charles Warren, 6th place
Mr. Petrus and Miss. Messmer want to thank everyone on the team for a nice season and a fun learning experience.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 March 2024 at 7:56 am
ALBION – Orleans County is working to develop a 4-acre solar array on the south end of the Emergency Management Office property at 14074 West County House Rd.
The project would have a capacity for 500 kilowatts of power. It would be sold to National Grid.
The county is pushing for the project partly to maintain its good credit rating. That overall rating not only factors in financial data, but municipalities lose some standing if they don’t have a renewable energy project in their portfolio, said Jack Welch, the county’s chief administrative officer.
The county has been discussing the solar project for about two years, Welch said. The County Legislature has hired Wendel, LLC to apply for a utility interconnection with National Grid. The county also is working with GreenSpark, which is designing the solar farm and will do the construction.
The Legislature during last month’s meeting approved executing the documents for the interconnection and other permit application forms.
Legislator Don Allport, R-Gaines, opposed moving forward with the project, calling solar “dirty and inefficient power.” He said the nation is better served with a steady-producing power, not the “modulating and demodulating” power sources with solar and wind energy.
The project is part of a $1.3 million energy performance contract. Allport said the projected return on the solar investment was initially 15 years, but now could be 20 years.
