Renewed push for Sullivan County drug trafficking designation

WASHINGTON, DC — Following a personal visit to Monticello in April to stand with the Sullivan County Drug Task Force, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer focused on securing Sullivan’s High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) designation. He called Dr. Rahul Gupta, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, to urge the county’s approval.

Sullivan is the only county in the Hudson Valley that lacks a HIDTA designation, despite having the worst opioid overdose death rate in New York State. Lacking the designation blocks Sullivan from receiving key federal support and additional resources to stop drug traffickers.

Wanted: your opinion on Sullivan County housing

MONTICELLO, NY — What do you think of the state of housing in Sullivan County? Too little? Too much? Too pricey? Too dilapidated?

Sullivan County is seeking your input on current and future housing needs through an online open house hosted at sullivanhousingstudy.org. Read about the challenges of finding affordable housing in the county, then fill out the survey. The open house lasts through July 31.

This is part of a countywide housing-needs assessment to analyze the current and future state of housing, predict upcoming needs for those most impacted, and develop a plan to implement the resulting recommendations. Any questions can be directed to Jill Weyer, Sullivan County deputy commissioner of planning and community development, at 845/807-0527 or at jill.weyer@sullivanny.us.

Legislative wins for education advocates

HARRISBURG, PA — On July 7, legislative leaders announced an agreement for the 2022-23 Pennsylvania state budget, including a $525 million increase in state funding for basic education, $225 million for a Level Up supplement to the 100 most deeply underfunded school districts, a $100 million increase in special education funding, and $200 million in grants to school districts for mental health and school safety.

“The significant education funding increase in this budget agreement shows that many in Harrisburg recognize the depth of the hole our legislative leaders have dug for our students. But it is not sufficient to meet the state legislature’s constitutional responsibility to fix our inadequate, two-tiered school funding system,” said Maura McInerney, legal director at the Education Law Center.

Sullivan County gets supply of monkeypox vaccine

ALBANY, NY — The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) on July 7 updated New Yorkers on its strategic response to the current monkeypox outbreak. In accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, NYSDOH released vaccine eligibility for the initial doses of the JYNNEOS vaccine from the federal government. Over the coming days and week, local county health departments, which will administer the vaccine directly, will establish their own appointment processes.

Of the 56,000 doses of vaccine currently available nationwide, 8,195 have been allocated to New York State by the federal government. Forty of those doses have been sent to Sullivan County.

The current strain of monkeypox that is circulating in the U.S. is rarely fatal, and no deaths have yet been reported, but symptoms can be extremely painful, and people might have permanent scarring from the rash. People can protect themselves and prevent the spread of monkeypox in their communities by asking sexual partners whether they have a rash or other symptoms consistent with monkeypox, by avoiding skin-to-skin contact with someone who has a rash or other monkeypox-related symptoms, by contacting a healthcare provider following exposure or symptoms, and by checking with their local county health department about vaccine eligibility.

PA Senate approves pro-life constitutional amendment

HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Senate approved a constitutional amendment on  July 7 that gives voters and their elected officials the power to determine the state’s abortion laws, according to the bill’s sponsor Sen. Judy Ward (R-30). Senate Bill 106 states that Pennsylvania’s constitution grants no right to taxpayer funding for abortion or any other right relating to abortion, adding such language explicitly to the constitution.

The bill also proposes several amendments related to elections, including a requirement that voters show valid identification at each election. If passed by the General Assembly next legislative session, the amendments would be presented to voters for final approval.

An equal rights amendment for New York

ALBANY, NY — The New York State Senate advanced the first passage of an amendment to codify the right to an abortion and the right to contraception in New York State’s Constitution. The amendment will also update the existing Equal Rights amendment to extend current protections in several areas, such as sex, disability, national origin, ethnicity and age. The amendment will need to be advanced again during the 2023 legislative session, and can go before New York State voters following that advance.

Landmark gun control legislation signed in NYS

ALBANY, NY — Gov. Kathy Hochul signed landmark legislation on July 1 to strengthen New York’s gun laws and bolster restrictions on concealed-carry weapons. This package of new laws—drafted in close collaboration with the legislature—is devised to align with the Supreme Court’s recent decision in NYSRPA v. Bruen.

The legislation includes measures to expand on eligibility requirements in the concealed-carry permitting process; to restrict the carrying of concealed weapons in sensitive locations; to establish that owners of private property must expressly allow a person to possess a firearm, rifle or shotgun on their property; to create a statewide license and ammunition database; and to strengthen and clarify the law relating to the sale of body armor.

“Legal gun owners, who meticulously follow the law, are being further overburdened with more unconstitutional regulations that fail to improve public safety,” wrote Sen. Peter Oberacker (R-51). “Lawbreakers know they have a free pass in New York and this action will only further embolden those who look to do harm to others.”

Tax redemption deadline passes

MONTICELLO, NY — Sullivan County Treasurer Nancy Buck has reported that the county’s decision to extend the delinquent property redemption deadline from April 30 to June 30 this year allowed 35 homeowners to retain their properties, while also reaping $400,000 in tax revenue for the county.

That said, this redemption opportunity has now passed for good. “June 30 was the deadline,” Buck said. “There will be no more extensions. Properties with taxes still delinquent from 2020, 2019 or earlier will now go to the tax auction next month.”