Weekend News Update
Written by Dan Fischer on August 2, 2024
A new program is being launched that’s aimed at making the Erie Canal more accessible to people with disabilities. The New York Power Authority is teaming up with Rochester Accessible Adventures to make it possible for folks with physical and mental disabilities to take part in things like canal tours and kayaking. This program will also help teach organizations along the canal how to be more inclusive. Additional details can be found online by going to onthecanals.com.
Vital federal funds are coming to help storm-ravaged parts of New York State. Governor Hochul announced up to $11 million in emergency assistance and repair grants for eligible homeowners and municipalities in seven counties impacted by severe weather events in mid-July. Twenty-two tornadoes, massive thunderstorms and flooding caused major damage with some $5 million now available for low-and moderate income homeowners in Chautauqua, Erie, Essex, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, and Warren counties. $4 million is being awarded for demolition work on unsafe structures in Oneida and the city of Rome.
New York State is now seeking public comment regarding new laws that address youth addiction to social media. State Attorney General Letitia James is tasked with creating rules for social media companies to better protect children from addictive algorithms. She’s opened up a 60-day public comment period to get input from the public on the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation For Kids Act and the New York Child Data Protection Act. Governor Kathy Hochul recently signed those two into law but left certain aspects of the law like age verification up to the attorney general.
A new bill is being introduced that would provide a four-year degree benefit to police officers across the state. The Educational and Career Opportunities for Public Safety Act would allow officers who’ve served for eight years, and who commit to serving four more for the same employer, to be eligible to receive financial assistance to attend a college or university. The eligible officer would also be able to transfer unused education benefits to a dependent. This comes as recruitment numbers are at an all-time low with less than 400 applicants signing up this year to be an officer. In 2022 there were about a thousand.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand wants to improve mental health services for first responders. She’s introduced a bipartisan bill that would improve access and establish a national mental health hotline for first responders. Gillibrand says they have higher rates of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and suicides and that the time to address these issues is long overdue.
The Buffalo Bills are looking to raise awareness of mental health issues in the state. The team has partnered with Best Self Behavioral Health to help provide additional resources and community support to the growing mental health issues. According to the team, this collaboration is the first of its kind for the Bills franchise. Best Self will be the Bills’ Official Mental Health Partner. The organization will work with the Bills to create educational programs and give mental wellness support, resources, and community engagement opportunities.
The Equal Rights Amendment, with added language protecting abortion rights and access, will be on New York ballots this November. The state’s top court declined to hear a Republican appeal to keep the updated ERA off ballots. This version of the ERA would be an amendment to the state constitution’s Bill of Rights. It would cover ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, and sex — including sexual orientation, gender identity, and pregnancy. And the new New York ERA would also cover reproductive rights and abortion access.
The 28th annual Brockport Arts Festival is next weekend from 10:00 until 5:00 both days. There will be over 150 artists and crafters on hand, as well as festival food, musicians and entertainment to enjoy. A Kids Zone is available and an after hours concert on Saturday. If you’d like more information, please call 585-637-5300 or visit www.brockportartsfestival.com
