A Voice from the Eastern Door
A Voice from the Eastern Door
THE SECOND INAUGURATION OF BARACK OBAMA On Monday January 21, 2013 President Obama was sworn in during the 57th Inaugural Ceremony of America’s history amidst much celebration including the Inaugural Parade down Pennsylvania Avenue. In his Inaugural address on Capitol Hill, President Obama called on all Americans to work together to solve our nation’s problems: “America’s possibilities are limitless, for we possess all the qualities that this world without boundaries demands: youth and drive; diversity and openness; an endless capacity for risk and a gift for reinvention. My fellow Americans, we are made for this moment, and we will seize it -- so long as we seize it together.” (Official White House Photo by Sonya N. Hebert)
CUOMO ENTERS 3RD YEAR, MANY STATE OF THE STATE PROPOSALS HAVE VERY STRONG SUPPORT
As he starts his third year as Governor, Andrew Cuomo continues to enjoy strong support from voters, with a 71-24 percent favorability rating (down slightly from 72-21 percent last month) and 60-38 percent job performance rating (unchanged), according to a new Siena College Research Institute poll of New York voters released. All nine of the Governor’s State of the State proposals polled by Siena received strong support from the voters. Among the Governor’s State of the State proposals tested by Siena:
-Voters support increasing the minimum wage 83-15 percent (up from 80-17 percent in August)
-Voters support public campaign financing 59-36 percent (from 55-31 percent in August)
-Voters support 48-hour reporting of campaign contributions of $500 or greater 79-18 percent
-Voters support early voting 67-30 percent
-Voters support the state funding school districts which increase learning time 62-35 percent
-Voters support a bar exam for teachers 76-23 percent
-Voters support decriminalizing up to 15 grams of marijuana in public 62-35 percent.
Cuomo Gun Proposals Strongly Supported; Armed Guards in Schools Closely Divides Voters
Two Cuomo gun proposals are strongly supported by voters, while two other proposals are opposed:
-Voters support banning assault weapons and magazine clips of more than seven bullets 73-26 percent
-Voters support increasing penalties purchasing illegal guns or using guns on school grounds 91-8 percent
-Voters narrowly oppose placing armed guards in New York schools 52-46 percent
-Voters oppose training and arming teachers in New York schools 69-30 percent.
HIGH WINDS KNOCK OUT TWO LOCAL RADIO STATIONS
High winds tore across northern and central New York and southern Ontario on Monday. The high-wind warning for much of the day ended around 4:00 p.m., as temperatures plummeted from the 40s to the single digits by last evening. Winds were sustained at 25 to 35 miles an hour, with gusts reported as high as 62 miles an hour in Watertown. Downed trees and power lines were reported throughout the region. The high winds took out power for about five hours to over 300 buildings in the Hogansburg-Fort Covington region. From noon till 5:00 p.m., electricity was out until National Grid was able to complete restoration.
A random lightning strike also hit and completely destroyed the transmitters for two Ogdensburg radio stations – YES-FM 96.7 and PAC-FM 98.7. They will be off the open air waves for the foreseeable future, but are still streaming their programming online.
Numerous trees and downed power lines were reported in both St. Lawrence and Franklin counties, but no significant damage was reported.
ONTARIO TO REPEAL PUTTING STUDENTS FIRST ACT
January 21, 2013 - Ontario has announced its intention to repeal Bill 115, the Putting Students First Act, to be effective Jan. 23, 2013.
A release by the Ministry of Education said the legislation achieved its goal of ensuring fair, balanced and responsible collective agreements for teachers and support staff while protecting the gains made in education and reflecting the province’s fiscal reality.
By moving to repeal the act, the government is promoting goodwill and stability in Ontario’s schools by addressing a key concern of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario and the Ontario Secondary Schools Teachers’ Federation.
More than 100,000 teachers and support staff are benefiting from negotiated agreements that meet the government’s fiscal goals while supporting student achievement. The remainder of collective agreements were put in place under the Putting Students First Act.
GOVERNOR CUOMO OUTLINES 2013-2014 EXECUTIVE BUDGET
On Tuesday, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo unveiled the proposed 2013-14 Executive Budget and Management Plan that, according to the press release: builds on two years of balanced, fiscally responsible budgeting and invests in economic development, education reform, rebuilding after Superstorm Sandy, provides support to local governments and school districts, and includes no new taxes or fees.
Highlights of the Executive Budget:
Eliminates $1.3 billion budget gap with no new taxes or fees. The expected gap for 2013-14 was projected to be $17.4 billion prior to the last two responsible budgets.
Holds spending increases below 2 percent for third consecutive year.
Increases education aid by $889 million, or 4.4 percent, driving an average increase of more than $300/student per year.
Targets economic development spending to accelerate the commercialization of new technology, launches a third round of the Regional Economic Development Councils, and markets the state’s tourism assets to bolster economic growth, especially Upstate.
Reforms the Workers’ Compensation system to save employers, local governments, and school districts more than $900 million.
Includes nearly $974 million in savings from government redesign and cost control efforts
Builds on the significant mandate relief enacted in 2012-13 by providing a Stable Rate Pension Contribution Option to allow local governments and school districts to immediately realize Tier VI savings.
Raises the minimum wage from $7.25/hour to $8.75/hour.
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