Morning News Brief

Samsung was a hopeful investor for the STAMP site in Alabama but they have instead decided to go out of NY.  The 17 billion dollar semiconductor factory instead will go to Taylor, Texas.  A story from Bloomberg Wire stated the chip-making plant will instead be constructed in the Central Texas city, which is about 30 miles from Samsung’s giant manufacturing hub in Austin.  As late as September, Sen. Charles Schumer – during an appearance at STAMP to promote Plug Power’s decision to build a green hydrogen facility there – said that Samsung officials toured the 1,250-acre site owned by the Genesee County Economic Development Center and that he was communicating “on a regular basis” with the company’s president.  Taylor Texas is offering over 300 million dollars in tax credits plus a tax waiver and more to the South Korean company.

Erie county legislators are calling on State legislators to revoke County Executive Mark Poloncarz’s emergency powers.  Poloncarz has extended the state of emergency for Erie county every 30 days which extends his emergency powers as well.  Republican legislator Lorigo says the Erie County Legislature was not consulted about any of Poloncarz’s new phased approach to fighting COVID-19, which includes mask mandates, a potential vaccine mandate in a later phase, and capacity restrictions.  The only way to strip the powers is an act of the State legislature to change the statute which grants them.  

Democrat assemblyman Pat Burke who represents Buffalo has proposed a bill that would allow insurance companies to refuse coverage to people who don’t get the covid vaccine.  Specifically this bill would make it so companies would be able to deny coverage for COVID related treatments if the customer is unvaccinated.  In a tweet Burke said “Do your part or pay your own way.  Freedom isn’t free.”

The State Police, City police, and Sheriffs office will be participating in the STOP DWI program this week during Thanksgiving and the weekend to try to curb impaired driving.  Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel times of the year, and unfortunately, more people on the roadways means the potential for more vehicle crashes.  In a combined effort to bring awareness to the dangers of impaired driving, prevent injuries and save lives law enforcement officers across New York State and STOP-DWI programs will be participating in special engagement efforts.  The increased enforcement starts today and goes through Sunday.

Genesee and Orleans county health officials have released a statement about whether they will issue and mandates to slow COVID spread.  The statement says “While we remain committed to the health and safety of our communities, Genesee and Orleans County will not be creating or implementing any new mask or vaccine mandates at this time.  We believe new mandates will only push residents into private settings where spread will still continue but local businesses will suffer.  For almost two years, businesses across the region have taken various measures to protect their workplaces and we trust them to do the same at this time.”