(**New)County Legislature Chairman pulls four local laws for proposed salary increases for most elected officials...
Four local laws that would increase the salaries of most of Chautauqua County's elected officials have been pulled from the agenda from this week's legislature meeting. Chairman Jay Gould says today that he made the decision after two committees disagreed on whether any increases were in order for the County Executive, County Clerk, Sheriff, and, County Legislators. Since the proposals were released by the Salary Review Commission... they've been the source of much controversy. With that... Gould says he wants a more thorough discussion over whether a commission is practical in this day and age. He says he's not sure whether a commission is the right way to go... or, if there should be periodic cost of living increases built in. Public sentiment has been strongly against any increases... and, Gould says he realizes it's a contentious issue. The Ashville Republican says one problem has been getting people to serve on the commission because the past few times they've made recommendations... they've been completely rejected... or not voted on.
Reed votes for failed five-year Farm Bill in U.S. House...
Chautauqua County's Congressman says he voted for the amended Farm Bill in the House that was defeated late last week. Corning Republican Tom Reed says he was disappointed by the bill's defeat... and, he declined to point fingers... saying that he would be part of the effort to work out a compromise measure with the Senate. During his weekly media conference call Monday morning... Reed added that he "cares" about the plight of local farmers in the 23rd District... and, nationwide. Reed says it's only right that lawmakers come up with a five-year bill that they can all agree on. Reed says he voted for the five-year bill... which included two amendments. One dealt with dairy management and supply... while the other put in a work requirement for the Food Stamp program. Reed says that program has grown from $35-billion to $80-billion dollars since 2007... and, that kind of growth is unsustainable. Reed adds that he will begin trying to get a new bill that can be acted on by both the House and Senate once he gets back to Washington this week. He's hoping to have a new measure in place in the next 30 to 45 days.
Machias man killed in Sunday morning car-pedestrian accident...
A Cattaraugus County man was killed early Sunday morning after being struck by a vehicle while he was walking on Route 16 in the town of Yorkshire. State Police in Olean say 28 year-old Edward Speaker of Machias was walking in the traffic lane of the road when he was hit about 1:45 a.m. Sunday. Troopers say Speaker was apparently intoxicated at the time. The driver of the car... and, a passenger weren't hurt. Troopers say the unidentified operator had not been drinking... and, no charges were filed.
Governor Cuomo's 3rd Legislative year sees more successes than failures...
Governor Andrew Cuomo's third legislative year has ended with more successes under far tougher conditions than many give him credit for. The Democrat was able to authorize casinos upstate... raise the minimum wage... and, pass an on-time budget with only 2-percent more spending. But... he also had some losses. He failed for a third year to decide whether to allow lucrative gas drilling upstate and his liberal turn, especially on gun control, cost him the upstate vote. Senate Republicans also had several wins in the session that ended Friday. Despite being outnumbered by Democrats in the chamber, they thwarted Democratic measures to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana in public and to provide college financial aid for illegal immigrants.
