Morning Edition: Monday, May 2nd
Urban areas designated as rural in New York, gerrymandering puts races in question, and more!
Gerrymandering decision renders challenge to Josh Riley petition signatures ‘moot’
The state Board of Elections says the recent court decision invalidating Congressional District maps drawn by Democratic lawmakers makes the challenge against petition signatures gathered by Democratic 22nd District candidate Josh Riley “moot.”
Some of New York’s urban areas to be designated as rural under new criteria
The revised list of urban areas won’t be released until late 2022, but the move could impact more than 1,300 small U.S. cities, according to News10 NBC. Under old criteria that’s been used for over a century, a place needed a population of over 2,500 residents to be considered urban. Now, it will need at least 2,000 housing units, or roughly 5,000 residents.
Upcoming Seneca Falls school board election is first contested race in over a decade
The district’s last contested school board election occurred in May 2006. The candidates who receive the three highest vote counts will assume their three-year terms on July 1. Current board members Jeff Hartwell and William Reigel decided not to seek reelection, with the men serving since July 1, 2011 and July 1, 2013, respectively.
GOP candidate for governor Harry Wilson unveils plan to combat crime
In 2019, former Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a law to eliminate bail for misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies. Governor Kathy Hochul included some changes to the law in the 2022-23 FY state budget, though the law still remains in place.
Groups taking on the problem of cat overpopulation in Cayuga County
Clair Lovell with Auburn NY Cats made a presentation to the City Council at its meeting Thursday night. Auburn City Clerk Chuck Mason says the group is modeled after one in Moravia that’s had good success using the TNR model, trap, neuter, release.
Wayne County cuts gas tax, effective June 1
At a special meeting Friday, Wayne County Supervisors voted to cut the county’s gas tax from four percent to eight cents per gallon. The cut will be in effect through the end of the year. With the current price of gas at over four dollars per gallon, Wayne County motorists would save about two dollars on a 25 gallon purchase. County Administrator Rick House says a number of other counties have taken similar measures.
Lake Friendly Living Coalition marks Lake Friendly Living Month with educational presentations
The Coalition acts as an umbrella organization, tying together the work of groups representing each of the Finger Lakes. The first program is a virtual presentation Monday night called “Climate Resiliency and What it Means for the Finger Lakes” hosted by Frederick Stoss from SUNY University at Buffalo. The programs, some virtual and some in-person, continue throughout the month.
INSIDE THE FLX: Auburn City Clerk Chuck Mason on budget presentations and reigning in the city’s cat population
In this episode, we discuss final budget presentations to the City Council, security at City Hall and reigning in the city’s cat population.
INSIDE THE FLX: Melissa Nesbit, Seneca Housing on the shortage of affordable housing and the agency’s efforts to help
In this episode, we talk about the lack of affordable housing and what the agency does to combat the problem, including the construction of new housing for veterans and the Section 8 program.
INSIDE THE FLX: Cayuga County Legislator Aileen McNabb on shrinking the legislature, the opening of Emerson Park and more
In this episode, we talk with the District 6 Cayuga County Legislator about the proposal to shrink the legislature from 15 to 11 members, a new Director for Cayuga Strategic Solutions, American Rescue Plan Act funding, a new County Operations Officer and the opening of Emerson Park for the season.
Residential trash pickup fee in Auburn may double next year
Superintendent of Public Works Mike Talbot made the final departmental budget presentation to the City Council Thursday night. Auburn City Clerk Chuck Mason says part of the reason for a $1.8 million deficit in the solid waste fund is costs associated with the closure of the city’s landfill in 2020, when the city switched over to using a transfer station to send waste to landfills in other communities.