Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

The Seneca Nation of Indians today formally filed for arbitration over New York’s violation of its gaming compact that guarantees the Nation a 14-county Western New York exclusivity zone for casino gambling. The move comes after more than a year of discussions with state officials from both the Paterson and Cuomo administrations. The Nation withheld more than $350 million in payments to the state for gaming activity starting January 1, 2009, because of the violations. Between 2002 and 2008, the Nation paid the state, and the three communities that host Seneca casinos, $476 million under the compact’s provisions. According to a news release, the Nation’s Council unanimously adopted a resolution ordering Nation lawyers to file for arbitration. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The New York State Commission on Public Integrity has fined Gov. David Paterson $62,000 for accepting five tickets to the first game of the 2009 World Series at Yankee Stadium. Paterson testified that he always intended to pay for the tickets. The commission says that is "false" and contradicts his staff, the Yankees and common sense. He paid for four of the tickets several days later. Paterson has said it was his duty to attend the opening series game at the new Bronx stadium.

New York Governor David Paterson has signed an executive order to stop hydraulic fracturing until July 1. The governor’s order prohibits fracking until the state Department of Environmental Conservation completes a comprehensive review of the fracking process. But, Paterson also vetoed legislation that would have placed a moratorium on high-volume, horizontal hydraulic drilling and more conventional vertical drilling. http://www.state.ny.us/governor/press/121110PatersonExecutiveO-HydraulicFracturing.html

Governor David A. Paterson was today joined by Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes and local stakeholders for a ceremonial bill signing of the Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises (MWBE) "Emerging Managers" bill (A.9976-C / S.6888-C). "I am pleased to sign this bill into law, as part of my Administration's ongoing efforts to ensure our State corrects the long-standing disparities in government contracting and procurement," Governor Paterson said. "This legislation is another step we as a State have taken to improve equity in the procurement process and facilitate greater access for Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises. Through such actions and initiatives we not only help businesses thrive, we will help our State back on the path of economic recovery and prosperity." The new law will create an Emerging Manager and MWBE financial services strategy to allow greater diversification and expansion of MWBE contracting goals with the State....

The Republican takeover of the House of Representatives extended to the 29th Congressional District seat in New York, vacated by Eric Massa. Former Corning mayor Tom Reed beat out Democrat Matt Zeller. Massa held the seat until he resigned March 8 under allegations of sexual harassment. The seat remained empty through the year, with Gov. David Paterson choosing not to hold a special election until Tuesday. The 29th District occupies much of the Southern Tier, including Cattaraugus and Allegany counties.

The city of Niagara Falls is receiving $16.5 million in federal funding to complete the conversion of a Civil War-era building into a new Amtrak station. The funding comes from a DOT grant program that was part of the federal stimulus bill. http://www.state.ny.us/governor/press/102910HighSpeedRailPlanningBoard.html

The Seneca Nation says it’s willing to compromise with New York State in a dispute over casino revenues. On Wednesday, Governor David Paterson said the state would shut down the nation’s three casinos unless the tribe paid $200 million in slot revenues. The Senecas have been withholding the payments because they say the state went against the gaming compact by allowing slot machines at racetracks. Under the compromise, the nation would make payments to local municipalities that receive a portion of the money the Senecas send to the state. The state hasn’t responded yet.

Governor David A. Paterson has directed that flags on State government buildings be flown at half-staff on Wednesday, September 22, in honor of Army Specialist Timothy L. Johnson, a Randolph resident who was killed in Kandahar, Afghanistan on September 16, 2010. Specialist Johnson died of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device at Arghandab River Valley, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado. "On behalf of all citizens of the Empire State, I wish to extend our condolences to the family, friends and fellow soldiers of Specialist Timothy Johnson," Governor Paterson said. "We join them in grieving the death of this fine young soldier, but we will never forget his sacrifice for our nation and we will honor his memory and his service." Governor Paterson has directed the flags on all State buildings to be lowered to half-sta...

ALBANY – Legislation that would authorize the Fredonia Central School District to receive state aid for an already approved and completed capital funded project was vetoed for the second year in a row by Governor Paterson earlier this week, according to the bill’s sponsor Senator Catharine Young (R, I, C – Olean). “I am extremely disappointed by the Governor's veto of this bill. In the past, it has been the practice by every other New York State Governor to allow schools to recoup state aid that the State Education Department withheld for building projects due to paperwork filing mistakes,” said Senator Young. “The school districts already is struggling to maintain its educational programs as a result of state aid cuts this year. The last two budgets have made a mess of things, and taxpayers and our students shouldn’t have to suffer,” she added. During the work on a Final Cost Report (FCR) in 1998 for two separate security system projects, one at Wheelock ...

New York State didn’t start collecting taxes from Native American retailers today after all. A state appellate court judge issued an order today stopping the collections. State Supreme Court Judge Donna Siwek had lifted an earlier order Monday. The Seneca and Cayuga nations appealed that decision. Those tribes won a federal court order Tuesday temporarily barring collections against them. But the state said it would start imposing the $4.35 per pack tax on cigarettes shipped by wholesalers to other reservation retailers starting today. There is no end date for the restraining order. Governor David Paterson says the state will continue its court battle and believes New York will prevail.

CATTARAUGUS TERRITORY, Seneca Nation -- New York voters strongly support Indian treaties which prevent taxation of Native American-sold goods, according to a new Zogby International poll conducted on behalf of the Seneca Nation of Indians. The poll, conducted the week of August 23, 2010, found 68.4 percent of those surveyed think state and federal governments should honor Indian treaties – specifically the Treaty of 1842 – which bars state taxation of Seneca businesses. "Once again the people of New York State have voiced their support of our rights as a sovereign nation. This is especially heart-warming for all Haudenosaunee Nations as the state is poised to enforce its illegal sales tax scheme on September 1," said Seneca Nation of Indians President Barry E. Snyder Sr. The statewide Zogby telephone survey found overwhelming support for honoring Indian treaty rights regardless of geographic regions, political affiliation, gender, race, age or religion. "New York State...

Governor David Paterson mislead investigators and could face criminal charges following an investigation into his receipt of free Yankees World Series tickets last year, according to a report by the independent counsel to the state attorney general's office. Retired Judge Judith Kaye released her report on the investigation this afternoon. It says the decision whether charges should be brought against Paterson is up to the Albany County district attorney. The report says checks to pay for the tickets and a letter prepared by an aide to the governor were both backdated to make them look as if the payment was made before the game. You can read the report here . (PDF)

Governor David Paterson is promising to start collecting state taxes next week on cigarettes sold by American Indian retail businesses to most smokers in New York. Paterson says taxes will be collected from wholesalers sending cigarettes to the tribes starting on Wednesday. The tax is expected to generate about $200 million a year in revenues for the state. The Seneca and Mohawk tribes are seeking federal court orders to stop the collection, claiming it would violate their rights.

SKF Aeroengine North America will invest $18 million in a new heat treat facility in Falconer, NY. The company will retain all 691 jobs as it installs a new high-tech vacuum furnace. In making the announcement today, Governor David Paterson said, "This is a tremendous investment in New York State's manufacturing base and one that helps solidify SFK's long-term viability in Chatauqua County.” To help offset the the costs of this project, Empire State Development offered SKF $2.75 million, with a $1.375 million grant from the Manufacturing Assistance Program and Upstate Regional Blueprint Fund. Senator Catharine Young said,“SKF’s investment and expansion is a win of enormous proportions for Chautauqua County. We were faced with competition from other states for the heat treat facility, which created a huge challenge that had to be overcome. Everyone involved rolled up their sleeves and went to work, with the best possible results. The NYPA hydropower especially provided a gr...

The Seneca Nation of Indians is calling on New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to resign, and to apologize for derogatory and racist comments he made about the Senecas. The Senecas passed a Tribal Council Resolution on Saturday condemning Bloomberg for remarks he made calling for Governor David Paterson to get tough on collecting taxes for cigarette sales on Indian territory. Bloomberg told the New York Daily News Paterson could make a great video standing in the middle of the New York State Thruway wearing a cowboy hat and carrying shotgun saying, “This is the law of the land and we’re going to enforce the law.” You can read the resolution here .

A provision of New York’s Leandra’s Law went into effect Sunday, and requires that anyone convicted of drunk driving to install ignition interlock systems in their cars. The devices are connected to ignition systems and measure the alcohol in a driver's breath. If the driver's blood alcohol content measures anything over .03, the ignition is disabled. The interlocks have to be installed for at least six months. They can be left in up to three years for a misdemeanor, five years for a felony. The other part of Leandra’s Law makes drunk driving an automatic felony if a child under 16 is in the car. Paterson signed this law on November 18, 2009, less than six weeks after 11-year old Leandra Rosado died from injuries sustained when the SUV she was riding in – driven by a woman who was allegedly drunk– crashed on the Henry Hudson Parkway in Manhattan. The driver of the SUV recently pleaded guilty to manslaughter charges. The advocacy of Neil and Jennifer Flynn led to passage of legi...

New York State finally has a budget. Senate Democrats approved their revenue bill Tuesday night during a special session called for by Governor David Paterson. The Assembly passed its budget bills in June. Part of the holdup in the Senate had to do allowing schools in the State University of New York system to increase tuition without Legislative approval. Tuesday night, they agreed to continue negotiations with the tuition proposal, for the sake of passing the budget, which was due in April.

New York Governor David Paterson will not face criminal charges for his role in a top aide's domestic violence case. Retired Judge Judith Kaye released a report outlining tampering allegations against Paterson. After the confrontation between the aide, David Johnson, and his then-girlfriend Sherr-una Booker last Halloween Paterson called Booker and later endorsed a press statement that said the incident was not violent. Booker filed a police report saying Johnson choked her, threw her against a mirror and tried to rip her Halloween costume off. After the Paterson call, she did not show up for court, and the complaint was dropped. Kaye’s report does, however, say that Paterson had inappropriate contact with Booker. You can find the report at the following link: http://www.ag.ny.gov/media_center/2010/july/report.final.pdf

New York Governor David Paterson is calling the Legislature back to finish the state budget that is now 15 weeks late. Paterson announced an extraordinary session for 6 p.m. Wednesday. He says that if a budget isn't finished in that session, he'll call another one for Thursday. He says the Legislature must agree on a contingency plan in case $1 billion in Medicaid funding from Washington doesn’t come through. He also wants action on his plan to allow the public universities to raise tuition without Legislative approval. Senate Democratic spokesman Austin Shafran said in a prepared statement that Paterson’s call for a special session “is a positive indicator that he is willing to negotiate a fair and responsible budget with Legislative leaders.” He said Senate Democrats plan to attend the session. http://www.state.ny.us/governor/press/072310Stmnt.html

New York Governor David Paterson has laid the ground work to recall state lawmakers to Albany to finish the state budget. The Legislature has said Paterson can’t recall them for a special session because they didn’t officially gavel out of the last special session he called in January. Today Paterson revoked the order for the January special session so he can call a new one. Paterson accused Legislative leaders of playing "parliamentarian games" to block him from ordering them back to Albany. The budget was due in April. http://www.state.ny.us/governor/press/072110Session.html