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BOB MARRONE GUEST-ANCHORS THE FRIDAY WHITE PLAINS WEEK–THE APRIL 8 REPORT ANY TIME ON WWW.WPCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG
WHITE PLAINS WEEK MONDAY NIGHT THE APRIL 8 NEWS ROUNDUP AT 7:00 WITH GUEST ANCHOR WESTCHESTER TALK RADIO NEWSMAN BOB MARRONE ON FIOS CH 45 & IN WHITE PLAINS OPTIMUM CH 76 AND www.wpcommunitymedia.org
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PLUS BOB MARRONE ON THE HOMELESS MIRACLE THIS YEAR
WHY PEOPLE BECOME HOMELESS,
THE RUSSO-UKRAINE WAR AND THE AMERICAN ATTITUDE;
THE HARRIET TUBMAN STATUE ARRIVAL
MORE LOCAL “LIFT YOU RIGHT OUT OF YOUR CHAIR” NEWS THAN ANY OTHER 28 MINUTES YOU CAN WATCH
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GOVERNOR HOCHUL: WE HAVE AGREEMENT ON NY STATE 2022-23 BUDGET
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Governor Kathy Hochul today announced an agreement to address key priorities in the Fiscal Year 2023 New York State Budget. This bold and fiscally responsible plan makes historic investments in communities across the State that will bring relief to New Yorkers recovering from the pandemic and launch New York’s economic comeback.
The State’s reserves in this plan will increase to a record level of 15 percent of State Operating Funds spending by FY 2025, as proposed by the Governor in her Executive Budget.
“As we make our comeback from the COVID-19 pandemic we are embracing this once-in-a-generation opportunity to usher in a whole new era for New York, with a bold budget that brings much-needed economic relief to New Yorkers and looks to the future with historic investments in education, health care and infrastructure,” Governor Hochul said. “This agreement brings us closer to an enacted budget and makes good on our promise of a stronger, safer, more inclusive and more prosperous New York State. I thank Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins and Speaker Heastie for this collaborative process. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in state government to enact a budget that delivers for all New Yorkers.”
The historic budget will include major priorities that deliver for New Yorkers, including:
- Tax relief for middle-class New Yorkers and small businesses;
- Suspending fuel taxes to tackle the high cost of gasoline which has surged in recent months as a result of the war in Ukraine;
- Helping to support small businesses most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, like restaurants, by authorizing the sale of to-go alcoholic beverages;
- Billions of dollars to rebuild the health care workforce, support home care workers, and build the health care system of the future;
- A historic investment in education to strengthen our higher education institutions and support our teachers and school employees;
- Increasing funding for and access to child care;
- A historic investment in pandemic recovery funding;
- A comprehensive housing plan to make living in New York more affordable;
- A record-level investment in a five-year transportation infrastructure plan;
- A record investment in clean energy infrastructure, climate resiliency and preservation;
- Improving ethics oversight and restoring trust in state government by replacing JCOPE with a new Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government; and
- Moving forward toward a safer, more just New York by cracking down on the trafficking of illegal guns, stopping the cycle of repeat offenders, protecting the victims of domestic violence and hate crimes, and investing in mental health infrastructure.
With a conceptual agreement in place the legislative houses are expected to pass bills that will enact these priorities.
Since the Governor proposed her Executive Budget in January, additional revenue has been forecast and surplus funds have been realized. The total budget for FY 2023 is currently estimated at approximately $220 billion, based on a preliminary assessment of the negotiated changes to the Executive proposal.
The spending plan will include the $2 billion for pandemic assistance that Governor Hochul indicated was available for use when the Executive Budget was released in January, but had not been included as a spending line-item.
WE MADE HISTORY TODAY: FIRST BLACK WOMAN SUPREME COURT JUSTICE.
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WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER. April 7, 2022:
We just made history, John . Another glass ceiling was shattered today as the Senate voted to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court.
As a Black boy growing up in Orangeburg, South Carolina, I never saw enough government leaders who looked like me.
So today, I’m thinking of everyone who didn’t get to see this incredible day, more than 200 years in the making, come: My grandfather, who was born at a time when Black people were often denied the right to vote.
Constance Baker Motley, our country’s first African American woman to serve as a federal judge, who broke barrier after barrier. So many ancestors who fought for equal justice under the law.
Earlier today, I fought back tears as the Senate voted to confirm Judge Jackson — recognizing full well that this is the kind of history that’s only possible when we elect Democrats. That’s why I’m all in for the mission we have ahead. Because, y’all, it’s so important that we keep building on this progress.
Make no mistake: we have a lot of work to do, but if today’s vote proved one thing, it’s that when Democrats are in charge, we deliver results for the American people. That’s why the DNC is making historic investments in grassroots infrastructure, on-the-ground organizing, and voter protection to help protect and expand our Democratic majorities this November.
Jaime
Jaime Harrison
Chair
Democratic National Committee
TONIGHT SATURDAY ON “PEOPLE TO HEARD” AT 7 PM CH. 45 FIOS, CHANNEL 76 OPTIMUM IN WHITE PLAINS “EFFECTS OF MULTIPLE UNIT HOUSING ON SCHOOL DISTRICT ENROLLMENT–NOT A FACTOR” WITH TODD POOLE:
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JUDGE JACKSON APPROVED FOR THE U.S. SUPREME COURT
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STATEMENT FROM SEIU 32BJ PRESIDENT KYLE BRAGG ON THE HISTORIC CONFIRMATION OF JUSTICE JACKSON TO THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT
“We are thrilled and overjoyed by the historic confirmation of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson to the United States Supreme Court. Her rise to the highest court in the land is itself confirmation of what America can be when all Americans can achieve their highest aspirations.
It is confirmation that progress comes in fits and starts, but progress comes when the people insist on it and enlist in the cause of our democracy.
It confirms why we must have hope, that we must never give up, that America is worth the fight, that equal justice under the law must be a shared commitment of all.
It confirms that in this country, it is still possible to overcome, to beat long odds, and for under dogs to prove their worth. There is a Supreme Court Justice named Ketanji Brown Jackson. What a powerful reminder that we are the dreams of our ancestors.”
ROB RUNS. FILES PETITIONS FOR REPUBLICAN PRIMARY for GOVERNOR TODAY
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BULLETIN:
FORMER TWO-TERM WESTCHESTER COUNTY EXECUTIVE AND REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE ROB ASTORINO WILL FILE PETITIONS FROM ACROSS THE STATE TO THE NEW YORK STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS TODAY, THURSDAY, APRIL 7TH AT 1:30 PM AT 40 NORTH PEARL STREET IN ALBANY.
WP COMMUNITY MEDIA EXPLORES FENWAY SOUTH
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Editor’s Note: With the Yankee opening Day postponed until Friday, John Vorperian recalls the idyllic world of Spring Training where everyone is in first place and it’s now “Next Year” . He just concluded with a visit to the Red Sox Spring Training facility as cold winds and overcast skies threaten baseball Openers in the cold, wet damp, muscle pull weather of The Great Northeast.
WPCNR PRESS BOX. By John Vorperian, of WP COMMUNITY MEDIA “BEYOND THE GAME” April 7, 2022:
With Baseball’s Opening Day upon us BEYOND THE GAME host John Vorperian got an exclusive tour of JetBlue Park, Fort Myers, FL, the Boston Red Sox’s Spring Training and Development site. The $77-million-dollar facility, completed in March 2012, has six practice fields and a main ballpark that is a clone of Fenway Park.
Led onto the field by a highly knowledgeable BoSox guide, Vorperian felt he was indeed transported into the Hub’s famed sandlot. “Except for the palm trees, it truly looked like the home of Williams, Yaz, and Ortiz,” remarked the BTG host. His tour guide, noted some key differences between the original and the replica.
In particular, for player safety, first and third had rounded dirt corners to ensure runners rounding the bases did not lose traction and fall. The Diamond’s turf was Celebration, a Bermuda Grass, durable and perfect for the Sunshine State’s tropical climate. And if one was to sit in Fenway South’s Green Monster seats no doubt one would get a good healthy suntan.
On his own, Vorperian got another angle of the park by taking a glimpse from Boston Owner John Henry’s Suite.
JetBlue Park’s year-round mission is to ready the Red Sox future. Vorperian had a moment with Boston prospect, Maceo Campbell, a 22-year-old right hand pitcher out of Longwood University who last year played in the Florida Coast League. As this story goes to press, Campbell has just been promoted to Boston’s Single A affiliate the Salem (VA) Red Sox roster.
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR CHILD CARE
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Recognizing that affordable child care is essential for children, families and the economy to thrive, Westchester County has partnered with the Child Care Council of Westchester to create the Westchester Works Scholarship for resident families who have not previously qualified for child care financial assistance.
For many families, child care is often the biggest bill in the household – but this new scholarship provides relief.
• A family of two was previously ineligible if household income was $34,841.
• Now, that same family can have a gross income of up to $60,674 and qualify for the Westchester Works Child Care Scholarship.
• A family of three can earn up to $74,950, and a family of four, up to $89,226.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer said: “I know all too well the struggles and hard decisions families face when they have to answer the age old question, ‘who is going to watch the children when we go to work?’ Increasing the eligibility will allow more parents to go to work with peace of mind knowing their children are safe and in good hands. These parents will better be able to provide for their children and themselves. Supporting and increasing funding for childcare is the right thing to do for working families – period.”
Latimer’s 2022 budget contains a total of $38.9 million for childcare subsidies. An increase of $10.2 million from 2021 levels of $28.7 million.
Board of Legislators Chairwoman Catherine Borgia said: “I began my career in politics advocating for affordable child care when I first became a mother. Adding this funding to the 2022 budget was a high point of my career. I am overjoyed today to see this program coming to fruition, knowing that it will make a huge difference in the lives of so many families across Westchester. We know that early child care leads to lifelong positive outcomes in behavior, education, and functionality. Instituting programs like this is a true example of a legacy that outlives you. This will improve the lives and futures of Westchester residents.”
Department of Social Services Commissioner Leonard Townes said: “Child care is an essential element in helping Westchester families maintain employment which creates self-sufficiency and benefits our local economy. County Executive George Latimer and the Board of Legislators commitment to supporting childcare reflects a heartfelt concern for helping families prosper and the well-being of children.”
For many families, child care is often the biggest bill in the household – but this new scholarship provides relief.
• A family of two was previously ineligible if household income was $34,841.
• Now, that same family can have a gross income of up to $60,674 and qualify for the Westchester Works Child Care Scholarship.
• A family of three can earn up to $74,950, and a family of four, up to $89,226.
Legislator MaryJane Shimsky said: “Properly funding child care was an ongoing battle from the beginning of my tenure as a legislator under the previous administration. As we begin to emerge from the COVID pandemic and parents head back to work in person, this program could not be more timely. I am incredibly proud that as the Majority Leader of the Board of Legislators I was a part of the leadership team that partnered with County Executive Latimer last year to add this funding to the budget. This program will improve the lives of so many families as we recover from the struggles of the past two years, and as we are determining the pandemic’s long term effects on our children. This is a big step in the right direction for all of our children.”
Child Care Council of Westchester Executive Director Kathy Halas said: “We’re immensely grateful that Westchester County Executive George Latimer and the Board of Legislators took bold action in this year’s budget. These funds have immediately increased access to safe, quality child care. Long term, fewer Westchester families will struggle to meet basic needs, more children will reach their potential, and Westchester will be safer and healthier.”
Yonkers resident and recent Department of Social Services Child Care Scholarship Awardee Yaniree Lopez said: “A couple years ago, my son’s pediatrician recommended I enroll him in a good child care program to help him meet his developmental milestones. I did, and his progress has been amazing. He’s learned so much and caught up with his peers. But I almost had to pull him out for financial reasons. My mother is very ill, which adds to my expenses, and means I don’t have her to help with child care. I am one of those working parents who make a little too much to qualify for subsidy, but I was still struggling to keep up. I am so thankful for the scholarship I received through DSS and the Child Care Council, because it allows me to work, meet all my financial obligations, and keep my four-year-old son in a safe program where he thrives.”
Scholarship applications are being accepted as of April 1. To qualify for the scholarship or a child care subsidy, parents/guardians must be working and meet income eligibility. Click here to learn more and apply. Questions? Email scholarships@cccwny.org, or call (914) 761-3456 x140.
Employers are also encouraged to reach out to the Council to obtain information and resources to distribute to employees.