Your Morning Edition for Monday, April 7th presented by DiSanto Propane!
Thousands rally across the region over the weekend, Auburn debates how to close $8+ million budget gap, fundraiser for Sodus bar held, Owasco Lake faces threats, and previewing Seneca Co. BOS meeting.
Rallying around the Finger Lakes as “Hands Off” goes hands-on
Thousands of people across the Finger Lakes, Central New York, and the Southern Tier rallied Saturday as part of a nationwide protest against federal cuts led by President Donald Trump and Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. Demonstrators voiced strong opposition to immigration raids, government layoffs, and threats to programs like Social Security and Medicare. Organizers say the "Hands Off!" rallies mark the beginning of a broader movement resisting the administration’s second-term agenda.
Finger Lakes Forecast: Unsettled weather.
A chilly, unsettled week is ahead for the Finger Lakes, with rain and snow showers kicking off Monday night and continuing into Tuesday as highs dip into the 30s. Conditions begin to improve midweek with some sun returning Wednesday, though another round of rain and possible mixed precipitation is expected Thursday into the weekend. Temperatures will gradually rebound, reaching the low-to-mid 50s by Friday and Saturday.
Fast 5: What’s happening in the Finger Lakes?
City officials opened the 2025–26 budget season with a stark warning: Auburn faces an $8.6 million general fund deficit and no available reserves to help bridge the gap. Despite a proposed 2% property tax levy increase, officials say significant spending cuts and new revenue sources will be needed to balance the budget. Pressures from subsidized utility funds, rising solid waste costs, and limited repayment from the city’s power utility are all contributing factors, with a fully balanced budget expected by April 24.
Wayne County residents came together Saturday at Rootstock Ciders and Spirits for a fundraiser supporting Adam’s Rascals Bar and Grill, which was destroyed by fire in March. The event featured live music, raffles, a cornhole tournament, and strong community support to help the Sodus bar rebuild. Organizers said the effort goes beyond dollars—it's about restoring a gathering place that feels like home to many.
Despite growing threats to Owasco Lake’s water quality, New York State has halted a decade-long effort to update outdated watershed rules, prompting legal action and deep concern among local officials. Dr. Adam Effler of the Owasco Lake Watershed Management Council said harmful algal blooms are intensifying, yet the state rejected proposed nutrient management updates seen as critical to reducing phosphorus pollution. As legal battles unfold, the council continues to push long-term solutions like land conservation, phosphorus reduction planning, and public education to protect the drinking water supply for roughly 50,000 residents.
After two years away, Pal-Mac Varsity Baseball returned to its home field this week, celebrating the completion of major renovations with a ribbon-cutting ceremony ahead of a scrimmage against Bloomfield. The upgraded field now features an artificial turf infield and improved drainage, part of a 2021 voter-approved facilities project. Senior Camron Quick notched the first hit and run on the new turf as the team prepares for its upcoming home opener against Penn Yan.
The Seneca County Board of Supervisors will meet Tuesday evening to weigh several key issues, including a proposal to house New York City inmates at the county jail and a plan to allocate opioid settlement funds to local prevention efforts. Other agenda items include renewing preschool service contracts, extending tax processing services for local schools and villages, and approving equipment purchases for the highway department. The board will also consider a home rule request to continue Seneca County’s additional 1% sales tax and apply for a $50,000 state grant for sewer infrastructure planning.
New bill aims to double NY bottle deposit, expand coverage
State lawmakers are weighing a bill to double New York’s bottle deposit from 5 to 10 cents and expand it to include beverages like iced tea, sports drinks, wine, and liquor. Supporters say the move would boost recycling rates, reduce litter, and generate up to $100 million annually from unclaimed deposits. With the original 1982 law credited for cutting litter by 70%, advocates argue it’s time to modernize the system.
Good government? Lobbying cash floods Albany for third straight year
Lobbying groups spent a record $377 million influencing New York lawmakers in 2024, marking a 4.5% increase and the third consecutive year of growth, according to the state ethics commission. Health care topped the list, with 1199SEIU spending $11.5 million, followed by groups opposing changes to home care and several gambling interests. The ethics commission pledged stronger oversight as top lobbying firms collected $114.5 million and investigations—including one into former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s pandemic book deal—continue.
Montezuma, Port Byron, and Weedsport join Clyde as Empire State Trail Towns
Montezuma, Port Byron, and Weedsport have been named Empire State Trail Towns, a designation aimed at boosting tourism and outdoor recreation along the Empire State Trail. Backed by the NYS Canal Corporation, the program will help these communities enhance trail access and amenities through public workshops and on-the-ground assessments. The three towns are already popular stops for cyclists traveling the Erie Canalway Trail, which draws millions of visitors each year.