Morning News Briefing
Written by WBTA STAFF on December 12, 2019
Gov. Andrew Cuomo
Governor Cuomo is going to be facing a legal battle with New York State Republicans who have fled a lawsuit for his failing to call for a special election in the 27th Congressional District.
The governor is apparently violating the constitutional and civil rights of voters in the district according to claims by GOP officials.
Cuomo has said on multiple occasions that he was looking to hold the special election on April 28th when New York holds its presidential primary.
Republicans say their candidate would be at a disadvantage if Cuomo picked that date as there will likely be a lot of registered Democrats at the polls that day.
The congressional seat has remained open since Chris Collins stepped down after pleading guilty to federal insider trading charges.
There has been no comment from the governor’s office regarding the lawsuit.
Robert Bausch the Genesee County Legislature Chairman is heading into retirement from County Government.
He was surrounded by colleagues and friends to celebrate his retirement during a reception in his honor yesterday afternoon at the Old Courthouse.
Bausch said he was proud of how well the legislature works together and what they have accomplished during his tenure…
He added that getting the new county jail project financing in place is another one of the legislature’s major accomplishments.
Bausch is stepping down after 10 years as a legislator, including the past two as the board chair.
The District 2 representative also has chaired the Ways & Means Committee for the past six years.
State health officials are expected to make a renewed push today to ban the sale of flavored e-cigarettes.
An emergency ban was put in place back in September but was challenged in court by the Vapor Technology Association and two affiliates, preventing it from being enforced.
Today’s meeting of the state Department of Health’s Public Health and Health Planning Council will call for the renewal of the emergency regulations and there will be discussion about adopting permanent rules.
Those guidelines would add menthol to the list of banned flavors and make clear the ban only applies to the sale of e-cigarettes by retailers.
Republican State Senator Joseph Robach says he won’t run for re-election in 2020.
Robach represents the 56th State Senate district that covers several Monroe County communities as well as part of Rochester.
Robach has spent nearly three decades representing the area and currently holds the Assistant Minority Whip position.
Robach says he’s leaving office because Democrats, who have the majority in the Senate, have made it difficult to pass any significant reforms that affect people living upstate.
The Buffalo Sabres are turning back the clock tonight for their game against the Nashville Predators.
Crews have been hard at work transforming KeyBank Center for ’80s night.
T-shirts have been placed on each seat to help recreate the look of Memorial Auditorium where the team used to play.
The Sabres will be honoring alumni from the ’80s and also use special music and graphics during the game.
Faceoff for tonight’s contest is set for 7:00 p.m.
