Morning News Brief

Governor Hochul announced the highlights of the 2023 State Budget in a press release where almost every item is labeled as either historic or unprecedented.  Among the headline items are a 20 billion dollar investment into healthcare with 1.2 billion in bonuses for frontline healthcare workers, 31.5 Billion dollars towards school aid including 125 million for full day kindergartens and preschool and 2.2 billion for improvements to SUNY and CUNY schools.  Clean energy gets 4.2 billion dollars to mitigate climate change and create green jobs.  Governor Hochul promises that New York will become the leader in offshore wind energy.  And lastly the budget includes keeping to-go alcoholic beverage sales legal.

Boy Scout Troop 6006 honored 3 new Eagle Scouts Sunday at the First United Methodist Church in Batavia.  Luke Geiger, Nicholas Grover and Aidan Clark were presented with their Eagle Badge, recognizing their achievement of earning enough merit badges, completing a service project and serving as an example of a model scout for a certain number of years.  They were also presented with Congressional Awards by Congressman Chris Jacobs.  They will be presented with awards at a later date by Assemblyman Steve Hawley who was unavailable because of State Budget Meetings.  

Assemblyman Steve Hawley put out a press release saying that the 220 Billion dollar state budget is “more than what Florida and Texas spend on their budgets combined” and that “New Yorkers needed decisive action to be taken to lift our economy and restore public order, but instead, they were given a band-aid budget full of half-measures that will make little impact on the well-being of everyday people.”  Republican lawmakers complained that the budget was completed by Hochul’s staff and herself without transparency and it doesn’t solve the problems that plague the state, instead focusing on paying off labor unions and donors.

The DEC is hiring for summer seasonal positions for those who love the outdoors and want to work at a Department of Environmental Conservation facility.  The DEC operates 52 campgrounds and 5 day use areas throughout the Adirondacks and Catskill Parks and they need over 500 seasonal employees with all levels of experience and skills sets.  Opportunities range from supervisors, lifeguards, security, maintenance, cleaning staff, and booth workers. Some positions start as early as May, but varying start dates can be accommodated based on school and work schedules.  Those interested in summer employment with DEC or looking for more information should visit www.dec.ny.gov.

The Tampa Bay Lightning shut out the Sabres Sunday night 5 to 0.  The last shutout the Sabres suffered was March 6th against the LA Kings.  Craig Anderson made 23 saves.  Buffalo will visit the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday for the anticipated debut of first overall pick Owen Power. Puck drop will be at 7:00 p.m.