Solar panel installment rate jumps more than 800 percent in central New York
A statewide push for solar energy has led to an installment rate increase by about 800 percent in the last five years. Read more »
State
'NOT IN MY BACKYARD': Area residents remain divided over I-81 replacement plans
Residents from the Syracuse area remain divided over the state's plan to reconstruct the aging I-81 in Syracuse and the project's recent delay. Read more »
SUNY-ESF students have partnered with OC3 group to revitalize downtown Oneida
SUNY-ESF students went on an observational walk at the beginning of the semester around the area OC3 calls the city center to assess the area’s condition. Read more »
Syracuse residents to hold march against controversial Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos
Betsy DeVos is known for her controversial support of school choice, voucher programs and charter schools. She was also the former chair of the Michigan Republican Party. Read more »
Educators argue over high graduation rate’s significance
New York state's high school graduation rate hit a record high in 2016. Read more »
New York attorney general leads opposition against Trump’s elimination of Clean Water Rule
New York state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman criticized President Donald Trump’s approval of scaling back the Clean Water Rule that protects the nation’s water streams from pollution. Read more »
Cuomo announces his free college plan has support from 17 US representatives from New York
New York state Gov. Andrew Cuomo has proposed to make tuition at public colleges in New York state free for those with family incomes of $125,000 or less Read more »
Early voting, automatic and same-day registration may be coming to New York under newly proposed bill
New York state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman unveiled New York Votes Act to create a system of early voting, automatic and same-day registration. Read more »
Andrew Cuomo’s proposal to renew ‘millionaires’ tax’ stirs debate in Albany
New York state Gov. Andrew Cuomo is looking to renew the “millionaires’ tax” for new fiscal year. If it is not renewed, all New York residents earning over $300,000 will be taxed at the same rate. Read more »
Cuomo says New York state has increased DWI investigation efficiency
New York state has improved efficiency in testing DWI evidence, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, thanks to $8.1 million in grant money. Read more »
Despite Onondaga Lake remedial efforts, some blame corporate influence for blocking lake’s full restoration
Onondaga Lake has seen major improvement in water quality since remediation efforts began, but some remain dissatisfied and blame corporate influence for preventing a full restoration. Read more »
New York state Attorney General issues warning on immigration scam
New York state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman issued a scam alert that fake immigration agents are soliciting money from immigrants in exchange of avoiding deportation. Read more »
How Chancellor Kent Syverud has played a role in city-county merger effort
While serving as a co-chair of the Central New York Regional Economic Development Council, Chancellor Kent Syverud was a key player in obtaining funds from the Upstate Revitalization Initiative. That initiative gave money to a citizen group recommending a Syracuse city-Onondaga County governments merger. Read more »
State appropriations for higher education increase for public colleges
A report published in Inside Higher Ed shows state appropriations for public colleges have gone up in 39 out of 50 states. Read more »
The completion of a major trailway in New York state could have benefits for Onondaga County
Gov. Andrew Cuomo has proposed spending $200 million on completing the Empire State Trail, which would connect all of New York state and potentially drive more tourism to Syracuse and Onondaga County. Read more »
Here’s what the planned Syracuse-Onondaga County government merger looks like
The citizen group Consensus has released its recommendations on Syracuse-Onondaga merger. Here’s a breakdown of what the report says. Read more »
Final recommendation on Syracuse-Onondaga merger pits Miner against county, state officials
The citizen group Consensus has released its final recommendations, urging the city of Syracuse and Onondaga County to merge their government and eliminate duplicate services. Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner is not happy with all of the recommendations. Read more »
New York State Assembly members confident Uber bill will pass
The state assembly is expected to propose a ride-hailing bill similar to the Senate bill passed on Feb. 6. If passed, ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft will be allowed to operate in upstate New York. Read more »
Democrats in New York State Senate who partner with Republicans say they maintain their own agenda
The Independent Democratic Conference is a group of NYS Senate democrats who are partnered with Senate Republicans. In a bipartisan political era, members say their constituents should look at their voting record if they are concerned about allegiances. Read more »
Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner calls for immigrants to have right to licenses
The campaign, called “Green Light NY: Driving Together,” calls for all qualified drivers to have licenses, regardless of immigration status. Read more »
Senate bill passes to legalize services like Uber and Lyft
The New York State Senate on Monday passed the bill, sponsored by Sen. James Seward (R), to establish a statewide ride-hailing regulatory framework. Read more »
Cuomo allots $70 million for second phase of state fair initiatives
The state fair revitalization project continues, with different initiatives including the creation of aerial gondolas and the expansion of the fair from 12 days to 13 days. Read more »
Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner speaks before state committee about state corruption
Miner told the committee she would like to see reforms like “comprehensive” contracting oversight and a modernization of the state’s election system. Read more »
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposes to modernize voting procedure in the state
In an effort to modernize voting process, New York state Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposed a new plan allowing early voting, automatic voter registration and same-day voter registration throughout the state. Read more »
