2,905,611 VISITORS VISIT 8,324,077 TIMES 3 TIMES EVERY DAY IN ONE YEAR. HIGHEST ACTIVITY IN WPCNR HISTORY.White PlainsCitizeNetReporter lifted its worldwide visits from unique visitors to wpcnr.com to 8,324,077,a 1,306,419 increase in visits in one year from 7,017,658 visits to the site last year which covers White Plains and Westchester County. The 8,324,077 visits were made by 2,005,611 unique visitors who visited wpcnr an average of 3 visits a day. ON JULY 20- -2026 visitors have accessed wpcnr and made 3,072 visits an average of 1.6 visits. In the last week 33,495 individual vistors made 54,458 visits, averaging 1.6 visits. In the last month, 152,940 visitors recorded 229,338 visits (1.5 visits)
State Senator Peter Harckham (above) and State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins comment on pop-up vaccination sites as answers to Westchester stubborn Covid rate of infection ( running 384 a day new Covid case from March 11 to March 17)
WPCNR CORONAVIRUS NEWS. From State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins Office. March 21, 2021:
On Saturday, a COVID-19 vaccine pop-up site opened in Sleepy Hollow. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and fellow State lawmakers Senator Pete Harckham and Assemblyman Tom Abinanti toured the site, offering the vaccine to people 60 years of age and older and teachers in Westchester County.
(Editor’s Note: Since March 2, Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow have averaged 13 new Coronavirus infectins a day, 190 through March 15)
The vaccine site was made possible by the hard work of the Villages of Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow who secured a partnership with Rite Aid to provide COVID-19 vaccines to residents. The villages also coordinated with the Tarrytown School District to secure a site location.
About 650 eligible residents were able to book an appointment in advance. Pop-up sites like this are part of a growing effort to make the vaccine more accessible to Westchester’s most vulnerable populations. . Residents will be able to receive a second dose scheduled for Saturday, April 17th, 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (second from left, front) State Senator Peter Harckham, in cap to her right, Westchester County Executive George Latimer upper left corner at the Sleepy Hollow High School Pop-up vaccination center Saturday.
In last week’s newsletter (which you can view here), I explained the basic process for adoption of the NYS budget. On Monday, March 14, the Assembly passed the “Assembly One House Budget”, which is the Assembly’s response to the Governor’s budget proposal. The State Senate also adopted its “Senate One House Budget”. While there are not gaping differences between the two proposals, the two chambers are now coming together in budget conferences to develop a single budget response to the Governor’s proposal. As a new member, I was honored to be appointed to one of the conference committees.
The Assembly One House Budget makes historic investments in health care, housing, education, higher education and local governments, and includes funding for critical transportation projects, small businesses, environmental protection, people with disabilities, veterans and more.
The Assembly also passed important legislation this week to modify the practice of solitary confinement in our prison system, as well as to expand the number and accessibility of Veterans Treatment Courts.
2021-2022 Budget Update
The recently-adopted American Rescue Plan provides significant pandemic relief funding to New York, at all levels of government (we are very grateful to New York’s Democratic Congressional Delegation – most especially Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer – for fighting to make this happen). At the same time, economists have revised upward the state’s revenue projections, due in large part to New York’s economy pulling out of the recession faster than anticipated (although we still have a ways to go).
These two critical developments explain, at least in part, why the NYS legislature feels it is prudent and responsible to propose higher spending levels than the Governor proposed. And it is also for these reasons that the Assembly and State Senate proposals do not include most of the funding cuts sought by the Governor in his budget.
Highlights of the Assembly One House budget:
$208.3 billion spending plan, which is $15.6 billion or 8.1% over the 2020-21 budget adopted during the onset of the pandemic-induced recession. The higher budget levels are critical to helping our communities recover and restart New York’s economy.
The proposal would increase the top personal income tax rate from 8.82% to 9.85% for single filers earning more than $1 million and couples earning more than $2 million. It would also establish two new brackets: 10.85% for taxpayers between $5 million and $25 million and 11.85% for taxpayers over $25 million.
Continuing the phase-in of the ongoing middle-class tax cuts, which the Governor had proposed discontinuing. Under these reforms, when fully phased-in, these rates will be the State’s lowest middle-class tax rates in more than 70 years.
Significant investments in our schools, including a $1.4 billion increase in Foundation Aid (the largest unrestricted aid category supporting public school district expenditures). The budget also includes $10 million for homeless students and $10 million to support mental health in schools.
$18.6 billion in higher education, including increased funding for opportunity programs. The budget also rejects proposed tuition increases for SUNY and CUNY.
Significant investments in environmental protection, including$400 million for the Environmental Protection Fund (which includes $100 million in anticipated federal funding) and $500 million for clean water infrastructure projects.
$94.2 million for the Office of People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) to create new service slots, including an expansion of certified housing supports, community habilitation, respite services, housing subsidies, self-direction of services and an expansion of day programs and employment options.
$20.84 million for veterans programs, an increase of $1.19 million over the Governor’s proposal. This budget restores funding to critical programs that help veterans receive their benefits, smoothly transition into civilian life, and improve their mental health during these unprecedented times.
$1.8 billion in federal funds for expanded access to childcare. The plan also includes $500 million for additional state funds to support childcare providers and families, and expand eligibility and access to subsidies.
$100 million in funding for an Arts Recovery and Revitalization Program.
Once the Conference Committees finish their work, and an updated budget is reported back to both chambers, additional negotiations will then take place with the Governor. A final budget must be voted on by March 31.
I will keep you posted on the progress of the budget. In the meantime, if you have any questions about the information above – or about any budget-related issues not mentioned above (as these were the highlights) – please don’t hesitate to reach out.
INSTANT WHITE PLAINS WEEK THE LATIMER STATEMENT WITH JOHN BAILEY AND THE NEWS (CLICK ON THE WHITE ARROW ABOVESCHOOL DAYS BEGIN MONDAY FOR 3 GRADES IN SCHOOL!THE CITY’S BIG BUY EAST POST ROAD MYSTERY DEVELOPMENTTHE CRACKDOWN ON RACIAL CRIMESJOHN BAILEY INTERVIEWS DEBORAH NOVICK ON THE ALL-NEW, BIGGER, BETTER TIMELY WESTCHESTER COUNTY INCUBATOR PROGRAM DESIGNED TO HELP YOUR BUSINESS GROW IN THE RECOVERY
PLUS GEORGE LATIMER’S COVID PROGRESS — 40% FULLY VACCINATED BY END OF MONTH
THE MOST INFECTED COVID TOWNS AND CITIES
THE DANGEROUS POSITIVITY RATE
AND MORE WITH JOHN BAILEY AND THE NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW
WPCNR GOVERNOR ANDREW CUOMO CORONAVIRUS REPORT. MARCH 18, 2021:
New Yorkers loves to root for the home team, and it was especially difficult to see great professional sports teams close to fans in stands as we implemented restrictions necessary to protect public health.
Today I am pleased to announce that baseball is coming back to New York and fans will be able to attend games in-person. On April 1, the New York Mets and New York Yankees can resume playing with spectators in the stadiums.
Professional sports in large outdoor stadiums that hold 10,000 people or more will be allowed to reopen at 20 percent capacity.
Attendees must show proof of a recent negative test or completed vaccination series prior to entry and are subject to strict state guidance on face coverings, social distancing and health screenings. Vaccination efforts at both Yankee Stadium and Citi Field will still continue during the MLB season.
Photo of the Day: New York baseball is coming back in April (Photos by Don Pollard) Here’s what else you need to know tonight:
1. COVID hospitalizations dropped to 4,536. Of the 271,463 tests reported yesterday, 7,796, or 2.87 percent, were positive. There were 934 patients in ICU yesterday, down 20 from the previous day. Of them, 590 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 57 New Yorkers to the virus.
2. As of 1pm THURSDAY morning, 24.0 percent of New Yorkers have completed at least one vaccine dose. Over the past 24 hours, 146,518 total doses have been administered. To date, New York administered 7,150,352 total doses with 12.4 percent of New Yorkers completing their vaccine series. See data by region and county on the State’s Vaccine Tracker: ny.gov/vaccinetracker.
3. Smaller, regional sports venues can also reopen beginning April 1. These are venues that hold 1,500 people indoors or 2,500 people outdoors and initial capacity will be limited to 10 percent indoors and 20 percent outdoors.
Attendees must show proof of a recent negative test or completed vaccination series prior to entry and are subject to strict state guidance on face coverings, social distancing and health screenings.
4. Beginning March 29, statewide travel for sports and recreational activities will be permitted. Currently, travel for sports and recreation is limited to contiguous counties and regions in accordance with New York State Department of Health guidance.
5. Large outdoor performing arts venues, including stadiums, that hold more than 2,500 people can reopen at 20 percent capacity beginning April 1.
Venue capacity for concerts and other performing arts events will continue to increase as the public health situation improves with more New Yorkers receiving vaccinations and fewer COVID-19 cases in the community.
Attendees must show proof of a recent negative test or completed vaccination series prior to entry and are subject to strict state guidance on face coverings, social distancing and health screenings.
