May 17, 2013 — The state Office of Mental Health could decide as soon as Monday whether it will close the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center in Ogdensburg.

This week, the state held a meeting to listen to the community's comments about the center. One topic many people brought up was jobs: The Ogdensburg facility employs more than 500 people.  Go to full article

May 17, 2013 — Voters in New York go to the polls on Tuesday, May 21 to approve new school budgets. The State School Boards Association finds that many school districts are living within the limits imposed by a property tax cap enacted two years ago.

The School Board Association's Tim Kremer says a survey of the state's school districts finds that the vast majority are budgeting within the strictures of the tax cap, and as a result, 93 percent expect their budgets to be approved by voters.  Go to full article

May 17, 2013 — For the first time, the Oneida Indian Nation has entered into an agreement to share some of its gambling revenues with New York state. The concession means there's no risk of a competing state-run casino in the Nation's backyard.  Go to full article

May 16, 2013 — Governor Cuomo is calling on Assemblyman Vito Lopez, the subject of a scathing ethics commission report on sexual harassment, to resign from office or be expelled.  Go to full article

May 16, 2013 — The state plans to decide next week which mental health hospitals it's going to close, and which will be chosen as what the state's calling "Regional Centers of Excellence." That's the word from New York's Acting Commissioner for Mental Health. Kristin Woodlock wrapped up her "listening tour" of hospitals around the state in Ogdensburg on Wednesday.  Go to full article

May 16, 2013 — Good news for homeowners impacted by 2011's Tropical Storm Irene: Essex County will get grant money to cover the 25 percent non-federal share for up to 37 property buyouts.

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced this week that funds for Hurricane Sandy recovery will be used to make those enrolled in the Federal Emergency Management Agency's property acquisition program whole.  Go to full article

May 15, 2013 — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is turning his attention to a previously announced plan to help communities in financial distress.

The governor is offering more details of his plan to set up a restructuring panel to help local governments on the brink of insolvency. He's also putting some money behind the plan...according to the Associated Press, $80 million.

Cuomo says his proposed financial restructuring panel will help local governments in distress merge and consolidate services, possibly lay off more workers and to permanently restructure operations.  Go to full article

May 14, 2013 — Lawmakers in Albany tried to carry on as usual in the wake of one of the worst scandals in recent decades. Recent corruption arrests have overshadowed most other news coming out of the Capitol. And much of this week's legislative session has been cancelled.

But politicians who were in town insisted that their agendas are not being derailed.  Go to full article

May 14, 2013 — Governor Andrew Cuomo has outlined plans to expand organized gaming in the state, arguing the addition of three casinos in upstate New York would bring substantial economic benefits to the region.

"We have gaming. The question really is, should we recognize the reality of our situation, and fully participate in casinos and gaming, and actually regulate it intelligently and tie it into our overall tourism efforts."

But, casino development has other implications including, as researchers have discovered, a significant impact on health.  Go to full article

May 13, 2013 — The state ethics commission report on the Assemblyman Vito Lopez sexual harassment scandal might finally be made public later this month.  Go to full article