Lobbyists held to account in Harrisburg

HARRISBURG, NY — The Pennsylvania House and Senate this week approved legislation requiring all lobbyists, lobbying firms and principals to register and disclose their spending as they conduct their business with state government. The lobbyist disclosure bill, House Bill 700, would require lobbyists to report gifts of $250 or more, and meals or other hospitality exceeding $650 in a year. The bill also requires both lobbyists and principals to register with the Pennsylvania Department of State every two years. The bill is designed to make state government more open and accountable.

The bill now goes to Governor Rendell for his signature.

Forums set for Monticello school budget

MONTICELLO, NY —Monticello Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patrick Michel will hold a series of five informational meetings at local firehouses throughout the district. These meetings will include a presentation on the district’s current financial status and a question-and-answer session with school officials. The first two meetings are set for Thursday, November 9, at 7:00 p.m. at the Monticello Fire Department and Tuesday, November 14, at 7:00 p.m. at the Rock Hill Fire Department.

According to present calculations, if the district moves forward with a rollover budget, taxpayers could face up to a 19-percent tax levy increase in May.

“We have to make some serious choices,” explained Michel. “I want the community to be a part of the decision-making process on what programs they want to keep and what they are willing to pay for.” Michel will also be establishing a Citizens’ Advisory Budget Committee, will invite the public to the Board of Education budget work sessions and is planning a web site survey.

For more information call 845/794-7700.

Children’s health care expanded

HARRISBURG, PA — Both houses of the Pennsylvania legislature have now passed legislation that will expand health insurance coverage for the state’s children. The legislation will add nearly 15,000 uninsured children to the Children’s Health Insurance Program. State Rep. John Siptroth, D-Monroe/Pike, who has been a strong supporter of the legislation, said, “The health of our Commonwealth is dependent upon the preventative health care offered to our children. This is great news for Pennsylvania’s working families and a huge victory for the more than 133,000 kids in the state who lack adequate health coverage. We didn’t wait for Washington to act on the problem of the uninsured — here in Pennsylvania, we are doing something about it now.

Governor Ed Rendell, who introduced the plan in February, said he will sign this legislation into law.

Car crash fells Manor youth

LIVINGSTON MANOR, NY — Adam Lasky, 18, was killed in a car accident on Monday, October 28 when his Pontiac Grand Am veered out of control and crashed into a house on Dahlia road. Kelly Lackey, a passenger in the car and Lasky’s cousin, was flown to Albany Medical Center where he remained in critical condition as of Tuesday, October 31. Troopers believe that the fact that the car crashed into a chimney kept it from traveling into the living room and harming homeowner Roy Amback.

Lasky was an accomplished athlete at Sullivan County BOCES who planned to become an auto mechanic. Lackey is a fullback on the Livingston Manor/Roscoe football team. He sustained possible spinal injuries, but the injuries are not considered life threatening.

The car had been traveling an estimated 80 mph down the slope, compared with the speed limit of 45 mph.

On news of the death, the school canceled spirit week, the homecoming dance and a home football game against Chester.

DRBC commission gets going on flood mitigation

WEST TRENTON, NJ —The newly formed Interstate Flood Mitigation Task Force of the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) met for the first time on October 25 to begin its work towards recommending a set of comprehensive flood mitigation measures for the Delaware River Basin.

Delaware Gov. Ruth Ann Minner, New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine, New York Gov. George Pataki and Pennsylvania Gov. Edward Rendell, who serve as DRBC members, jointly sent a letter to Executive Director Carol R. Collier on September 21 authorizing and requesting commission staff to form the interstate task force.

The task force is comprised of 30 members including elected and emergency management officials; representatives from federal, state, and regional agencies; and citizen and academic interests.

The first meeting focused on plan framework issues, inventorying ongoing initiatives, and discussing work-plan needs for the coming weeks in order to complete a draft preliminary recommendations report by the end of the year. A public comment period and public meetings are anticipated in early 2007.

Rockland gets funds for damaged roads

TOWN OF ROCKLAND, NY — The Town of Rockland has been awarded a grant of $50,000 to help fix the roads and bridges severely damaged in June’s flood. The funds, which are made available through the New York State Multi-Modal program, were requested by Elwin (Woody) Wood, Legislator District 3, and secured with the help of Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther. “I met Woody on the day of the flooding, and he took me around the Town of Rockland to see the devastated roads, bridges and blockages,” said Gunther. “These funds will help remedy some of the devastation created by this severe flooding.”