Morning News Brief
Written by Tom Tharp on April 8, 2022
Governor Hochul announced an agreement had been reached on the state budget late Thursday night. She says the agreement brings the state closer to an enacted budget. Alcohol to go, an increase in home healthcare workers wages, 600 million for the new Bills stadium, and changes to bail reform are in the budget. Another item of interest for state residents is the suspension of the state gas tax. Starting June 1st and going through the end of the year this will drop 16 cents a gallon of the price at the pump. The budget is reported to come in at 220 billion dollars and none of these decisions are final yet. The budget is now 8 days late. During the announcement Hochul also called on counties to suspend their own gas taxes to help out.
Home health care workers are getting a subsidy set aside in the new state budget to increase their wages. More than $10 billion of the $220 billion budget will be invested into healthcare. $4 billion will go to support the wages and bonuses for health care workers. Governor Hochul says, “We’ll provide nearly $7.4 billion for a $3 wage increase for home health care aides. That’s just the beginning.” Critics say this increase only sets the wage at 15.20 an hour and several fast food restaurants are offering more for new hires. The field of home health aides is understaffed and overburdened with some workers working well over 100 hours every week.
For the first time in almost two years, Social Security offices are back open for in-person services. The offices closed in March 2020 because of the pandemic. Since then, people could only communicate with Social Security online or over the phone. Appointments are recommended although the offices are taking walk ins.
The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce Home Show will be going on this afternoon and evening from 5 to 9. Saturday 10 to 5 and Sunday 10 to 3. The show is taking place at the David McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena on Evan Street. It’s 3 dollars for admission which comes with a 1 dollar off coupon to all vendor locations. Come visit WBTA’s booth where you can talk with our on-air broadcasters and staff! There is a door prize of a 500 dollar gift certificate to your vendor of choice.
They beat them in Buffalo but couldn’t take them on their Home Ice. The Sabres lost to the Hurricanes 5 to 3 at the PNC Arena Thursday night. This clinches a playoffs berth for the Hurricanes. Tage Thompson scored his team-leading 32nd goal of the year, Victor Olofsson scored his 17th, while Alex Tuch scored his 10th goal of the season. The Sabres play another team that has already clinched, the Panthers tonight at 7:00 p.m down in Florida.
