Jeanette Wolfberg reports in the Columbia Paper that the Columbia County Board of Supervisors voted December 14 to submit it to the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services its plan, “to identify and confront threats of domestic terrorism” locally. Last May, Gov. Kathy Hochul mandated that every county create such a plan. In Columbia County, the Emergency Management Department assembled a group of over 20 stakeholders with representatives from law enforcement, education, mental health, medical services, private organizations, and the Board of Supervisors’ Public Safety Committee, including Supervisor Jeanne Mettler of Copake. The group focused on cybersecurity and racism, both issues reported in the county in the past year. The City of Hudson had a ransomware attack in December, disrupting city emails. And last May two banners with racist slogans were hung over I-90, and this fall bags with fliers with a racist message were spread on lawns in Chatham. Columbia County is creating a Threat Assessment Management team to confront the racism with "education and outreach." Read the full story in the Columbia Paper.

Katherine Tully-McManus reports for Politico that Connor Torossian is now legislative director for Marc Molinaro, the Republican who now represents New York's 19th Congressional District. Torossian previously was a legislative assistant for Rep. Glenn Grothman, a far-right Wisconsin Republican. Grothman as been quoted saying things such as, "A majority of Americans have voted for a party that … wants a world in which you cannot call your parents mom and dad." and "I know the strength that Black Lives Matter had in this last election. I know it's a group that doesn't like the old-fashioned family.... I'm disturbed that we have another program here in which we're increasing the marriage penalty." Grothman may be best known for being included in one of HBO comedian John Oliver's "People Who Somehow Got Elected" series. Molinaro paints himself as a Republican moderate, and marched in at least one Black Lives Matter rally as Dutchess County Executive, while Torossian's Twitter feed shows that the new Congressperson has hired an ultra conservative as his legislative director.

Brian Hubert reports in the Daily Freeman that state Senator Michelle Hinchey was sworn in for a second term Jan. 7 at the Saugerties Performing Arts Factory in her hometown. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado, State Sen. Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and Hudson Mayor Kamal Johnson all attended and spoke at the event. New Republican Congressional representative Marc Molinaro also attended the ceremony. Hinchey, a Democrat represents the newly redrawn 41st District in her second term after defeating Dutchess County Republican Sue Serino. Her new district comprises Greene and Columbia counties, most of Ulster County, and the top half of Dutchess County. Hinchey defended government work at a time when it is sometimes under physical attacks. She said, “Government that we know is going to be doing the work, every day. Not for show, not for a sound clip but for people who live in our communities who don’t have that time to waste. Schumer, meanwhile, offered his support, saying, “She walked the halls of Saugerties High School right down the road. She never forgot that.... She’s held over 50 community forums, she goes to every corner of her district,” he said. “This is how you understand people’s struggles and needs, and Michelle is relentlessly doing this. She takes her knowledge of what people need and translates it into action.” Read more about this story in the Daily Freeman.

Mid-Hudson News reports that the Greene County Legislature unanimously adopted a toothless resolution against the New York City Department of Environmental Protection purchasing more land in the county. The New York City agency buys land locally to protect water that is used for drinking in the city. Right now a State Health Department mandate allows New York City to annually purchase and preserve up to 56,000 acres of privately owned land to protect the drinking water within its reservoirs of the Catskill Mountains. But the legislatures of both Greene and Delaware counties want New York City to purchase leases held by the local municipalities instead. Matt Luvera, acting chairman of the Greene County Legislature, said, “We are the ones who live, work, and raise families here, and we must have the ability to provide opportunities for, and improve the quality of life of our residents. That’s why we need the DEP to limit its land acquisition and work within a voluntary, municipally approved Stream Corridor Acquisition Program.” New York City is required to develop a Long-Term Land Acquisition Plan this year to cover the next decade. The county resolution is only meant to influence that process. Read the full story at Mid-Hudson News.

Today's daily news update.

Click above to download or play the "Better Weather." Produced by Joe Demanso of the Catskill Makers Syndicate.

Mid-Hudson News [dot] com reports that after four days of acrimony, arm-twisting, and 15 different ballots, the new Republican majority in the 118th Congress finally saw California Republican Kevin McCarthy sworn in as Speaker of the House very early on January 7. The 15 different ballots required were the most in 164 years. The resistance to McCarthy’s elevation came from 20 hard-right election deniers and loyalists of former President Donald Trump, and almost ended with fisticuffs in the House chamber. After lengthy negotiations, McCarthy won a majority over. All other business was halted until the Speaker was elected, including the administering of the oath of office to each of the members. Newly-elected Marc Molinaro, a Duchess County Republican who represents the new 19th Congressional District, did not take his oath until early Jan. 7. He then returned to New York to speak at a ceremony for state Senator Rob Rolison. Molinaro said the first four days in Washington did not go as he had planned but he characterized the process as healthy. Molinaro said, “Despite the time it took, don’t mistake it for wasted time,” noting “There are ideological differences within the majority but they were confronted very early.” He said that Congress can now get on with the work they were sent to do. “Americans want us to work on driving down costs, protecting and securing communities, the safety and security at our borders, energy independence, and education.” Molinaro said, “This is what democracy sometimes looks like and the differences of opinions were aired out in full view of the public,” adding “The American people delivered a divided government and that means we’re always going to have our differences and sometimes that means we’re going to air them out in public — rightfully so.” Read the full story at MidHudsonNews [dot] com.

The Times Union reports that Amtrak customers can bring their "plus one" for free when traveling in coach under a new buy one, get one free sale on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays until February 28. Customers can get the buy one, get one discount using promo code V309 at booking. One-day advance purchase is required. The promotion is available on select trains only. Customers can also travel with dogs and cats up to 20 pounds for a small fee. Read the full story in the Times Union.

Heather Bellow reports for The Berkshire Eagle that a group of residents and activists in Sheffield, Mass., are attempting to block 5G wireless systems from being installed in town until research determines that emissions from the technology is safe for people, animals, and the environment. Critics say existing federal safety standards are outdated and do not apply to the higher fifth-generation levels of radio frequency radiation. The town, however, might not legally be able to stop what the federal government allows the telecommunications industry to do. However, lawyers who fight cell towers and antennae, say that well-written local codes can stop installations. The Sheffield-based Scientific Alliance for Education, or S.A.F.E., presented a petition to the Select Board on January 3, requesting a moratorium on millimeter wave 5G small cell technology be put before voters at the annual town meeting in May. The petition asked for the pause until the Federal Communications Commission updates its limits for radiation exposure based on the results of specific research on 5G radiation “from scientists independent from industry.” S.A.F.E. Vice President Kathryn Levin told the board that potential liability to towns looms “if someone gets sick.” Just look at what happened in Pittsfield over a cell tower that 17 residents say has harmed them, she said. However, Sheffield might not have a say in the matter, said Town Administrator Rhonda LaBombard. The federal government will not allow the town to regulate telecommunications infrastructure “based on environmental issues or the effects of radiofrequency,” she added. Some Berkshire officials agree with FCC officials and aren’t convinced that 5G is or will be a problem. Great Barrington’s Planning Board is not yet addressing 5G in its zoning laws. “I am not aware of scientific literature from NIH, WHO, or other reputable sources that provide actual evidence of health risks from 5G,” said Chair Brandee Nelson. Read the full story in The Berkshire Eagle.

Tim Cushing reports in TechDirt that Apple is now offering users the option to fully encrypt data stored in its cloud service. Previously, when law enforcement could not access information on a cell phone, they could get around that in some situations by accessing what that locked cell phone had uploaded to the cloud. The Federal Bureau of Investigation was not happy about that announcement, as they would prefer a compromised encryption that only law enforcement can utilize, that does not exist. If one creates a gate for law enforcement to get in, then hackers can use that too. Interestingly, the FBI was the only law enforcement with a statement against iCloud encryption. Cushing writes that the FBI, "has spent much of the past half-decade lying about the extent of the problem encryption poses to investigators and insinuating that a solution could be had if only the people smart enough to make it happen would stop playing dumb." Still, Apple made a concession to the FBI, not giving managed Apple IDs and child accounts the option to fully encrypt data. But that might be against the law in the United Kingdom and California. When that gets sorted out it may be that child accounts are required to be fully encrypted, against the FBI's wishes. And, finally, another party that is very much against allowing encryption on phones that would prevent governments from spying on constituents, is the Chinese government. They surely won't like Apple's announcement, as it said the encryption "will eventually be offered in China," which seems unlikely. But even if Chinese citizens won't have encrypted data, it appears residents of the United States will. Read the full story in TechDirt.

Rachel Silberstein reportx for the Times Union that Schoharie County officials have ousted that county's top public health official. County health director Amy Gildemeister joins other public health leaders nationwide who have either resigned or been forced out in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. In New York, 29 of the state's 57 county health officials have retired or left their jobs since 2020, according to data collected by public health advocates. Her dismissal sparked outrage among residents and the county Democratic Committee, which claimed Gildemeister was "the target of anti-vaccination and anti-mask sentiments." Gildemeister was hired in 2014, and in December she was unanimously recommended for a six-year term by the seven-member county Board of Health. But in a reversal, the county Board of Supervisors opted not to renew her $94,700 annual salary the same month. "It is what it is," Gildemeister said last week. "I feel that we have done excellent work. I feel that the work we have done has saved lives." Board of Supervisors chairman Bill Federice alleged the results of an investigation led to the supervisors' decision, but refused to provide specifics, calling it a "personnel" matter. One person said that Gildemeister's style of COVID-19 enforcement was factored into the report, a claim Federice vehemently denies. The members of the County Board of Health said the complaints were never brought to their attention until the December meeting and they have yet to receive a copy of the report. Gildemeister denied any knowledge of write-ups or investigations during her tenure. "Some supervisors indicated quite clearly on public record that they were unhappy with COVID restrictions during the pandemic. So it's not surprising that they would continue to be unhappy." Federice said he is keeping the report from the Board of Health fearing it will be leaked to the press. He said the board was briefed on the report's contents. "They discussed it in detail," Federice said. "They already knew what we were going to say. We gave them names, places, dates." Gildemeister is not the first Schoharie County health director to be forced out over disagreements with the supervisors. In 2010, health director Kathleen Strack resigned before her term was up after clashing with local government officials on a variety of issues. Gildemeister is scheduled to leave on January 21. Dr. Roy Korn, president of the Schoharie County Board of Health, said it will be a challenge to replace her. "She knows public health. She knows the rules quite well. She responded appropriately to what was called for by the state Department of Health and the CDC … her knowledge base will be gone and there is no deputy to take over and continue." Read the full story in the Times Union.

Jammel Cutler reports for Columbia-Greene Media that Kenneth Dow, the Democratic commissioner of the Columbia County Board of Elections since February 2020, confirmed this week he is stepping down and returning to the practice of law full time. “It’s just a normal course of things,” Dow said. “I was appointed. I’m actually an attorney and wanted to return to doing my legal practice. I had a very good experience here. I had a great staff. It was just time for me to move on and return to my legal work.” Deputy Democratic Elections Commissioner Erin Stamper has been appointed to succeed Dow. She has served as Dow's deputy since 2020. Dow said the transition has been very smooth. “Erin has done a fantastic job as deputy commissioner. She’s extremely knowledgeable and totally dedicated. She’s clearly the person that should’ve taken over the position,” he said. Dow also praised the Board of Elections staff. Stamper said, “I’m committed to making sure we have fair and transparent elections in Columbia County going forward as we had in the past. ... We’re committed to making sure that we’re adapting to all the election law changes which have been numerous over the last few years and probably will continue to change,” she said. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.

Scott Stafford reports for The Berkshire Eagle that with higher utility prices and the general rate of inflation, more residents of western Massachusetts are looking for financial aid to pay for heat and power through the LIHEAP program administered in Berkshire County by the Berkshire Community Action Council. As of January 3, nearly 7,500 people had applied for the council's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, said program director Tammy Biagini. Of the 7,500 applicants, 4,991 were eligible for assistance. The number of new applicants doubled from last year, coming in at 1,060, so far. And the pace of applications has been brisk, Biagini said. “People are in panic mode,” she said. “They’re coming in like gangbusters.” The deadline to apply for energy assistance is April 30. The maximum benefit level, which applies to households at the poverty level, is $2,400. For those with higher income, the benefit shrinks. The program will pay to help with natural gas heat, electric heat, and deliverable fuels such as heating oil, kerosene, propane, firewood, coal and wood pellets. Those who qualify for the benefit received will cover roughly half of a household's winter fuel needs. “They are always grateful for the help,” Biagini said. “We get thank you letters in the mail and calls on the phone. That definitely makes our job a little easier.” Read more in The Berkshire Eagle.

WGXC adds this week:
Negativland, "Speech Free" (Seeland)

Mirage Station hosted by Mayuko Fujino, every other Wednesday at 11 a.m.
1. Gamelan Sekar Tunjung “Gending Corobalen, minggah ketawang Basonto, laras pelog, patet enem” from The Music Of K.R.T. Wasitodiningrat Performed By Gamelan Sekar Tunjung (CMP Records 1992)
2. 細野晴臣 Haruomi Hosono “マブイ・ダンス #2 Mabui Dance #2” from Medicine Compilation From The Quiet Lodge (Epic 1993)
3. Otto Sidharta “Gamelan” from Indonesian Electronic Music 1979-92 (Sub Rosa 2017)
4. Kiln “Burl” (Self-released 2023)
5. Samuel Rohrer “Body of Lies” from Codes Of Nature (Arjunamusic Records 2023)
6. Rian Treanor & Ocen James “Bunga Bule” from Saccades (Nyege Nyege Tapes 2023)
7. Francis Bebey “Di Sengi” from Akwaaba (Original Music 1984)

Global A-GoGo, Fridays 10 a.m.
Top 10 New Singles & EPs of 2022
1. Systema Solar (Colombia) | "Comer De Verdad" | self-released
2. Amaru Tribe (Australia-Colombia-Chile) | "Candela Viva" | Vibrating Planet
3. Cumbiamuffin (Australia) | Cumbiamuffin EP | Peace & Rhythm / Hyperopia / Sounds & Colours
4. Renee Goust (México-USA) | "La Muchacha Alegre" (feat Nancy Sanchez) | self-released
5. The Hempolics meet Macka B (England UK) | "One Law Fi Dem" | Zee Zee
6. João Selva (Brazil-France) | Se Acabou EP | Underdog
7. Lucidvox (Russia) | "Burn The Grief" / "Swarm" | Glitterbeat
8. Bomba Estéreo & Manu Chao (Colombia-France-Spain) | "Me Duele" | Elegancia Tropical
9. La Sonora Mazurén (Colombia) | "Charanga Mazurén" / "Cachicha" | Names You Can Trust
10. Reggaesta (Italy-Jamaica-England UK) | "Cocaine" (feat Earl 16) | Echo Beach
Honorable Mention
Balimaya Project (England UK-Nigeria-Gambia-Guinée Conakry) | "Seasons Of Baraka" | Jazz Re:freshed
Captain Planet (USA-Brazil-France) | "Moqueca" (feat Zuzuka Poderosa & Raphael Futura) | Bastard Jazz
Cigarbox Man (Chile) | "Mírame" | self-released
El Combo Batanga (Spain-Cuba) | "Ají Gua Guao" / "El Barrio En La Mirada" | Lovemonk
Kimi Djabaté (Guinée Bissau-Portugal) | "Alidonke" | Cumbancha
Fanfare Ciocărlia (Romania-Germany-Austria) | "First Aid Klezmer (Dunkelbunt remix) | Asphalt Tango
Marco Flores Y La Jerez (México) | "Ahora Es Cuando" (feat Grupo Legítimo) | Nacional
Yohan Le Ferrand (France-Mali) | Yeko EP | self-released
Superfónicos (USA) | "Primera Luz" | self-released
Derya Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek (Turkey-Germany-France-England UK) | Dost 2 EP | Bongo Joe / Catapulte
Artist | Country | Song | Recording | Label | Year
Oliver Lake | USA | Separation | Matador Of 1st & 1st | Passin' Thru | 1997
Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros | England UK | Global A Go-Go | Global A Go-Go | Hellcat | 2001
Reggaesta | Italy-Jamaica-England UK | Cocaine (feat Earl 16) | Cocaine (feat Earl 16) - Single | Echo Beach | 2022
Richie Spice | Jamaica | Shootie Shootie | Shootie Shootie - Single | Riddim Force | 2022
Black Am I | Jamaica | Jah In My Corner (feat Kabaka Pyramid) | Jah In My Corner - Single | Ghetto Youths International | 2022
The Hempolics meet Macka B | England UK | One Law Fi Dem | One Law Fi Dem - Single | Zee Zee | 2022
El Combo Batanga | Spain-Cuba | Ají Gua Guao | Ají Gua Guao / El Barrio En La Mirada - Single | Lovemonk | 2022
Superfónicos | USA | Primera Luz | Primera Luz - Single | self-released | 2022
Cumbiamuffin | Australia | Cabezona | Cumbiamuffin EP | Peace & Rhythm / Hyperopia / Sounds & Colours | 2022
La Sonora Mazurén | Colombia | Charanga Mazurén | Charanga Mazurén / Cachicha - Single | Names You Can Trust | 2022
Stephanie Santiago | England UK | Alma Carnavalera | Alma Carnavalera - Single | Movimientos | 2022
Bomba Estéreo & Manu Chao | Colombia-France-Spain | Me Duele | Me Duele - Single | Elegancia Tropical | 2022
Systema Solar | Colombia | Comer De Verdad | Comer De Verdad - Single | self-released | 2022
Amaru Tribe | Australia- Colombia-Chile | Candela Viva | Candela Viva - Single | Vibrating Planet | 2022
Delgrès | France | Mwen Vlé Maché | Mwen Vlé Maché - Single | Le Label / PIAS | 2022
Renee Goust | México-USA | La Muchacha Alegre (feat Nancy Sanchez) | La Muchacha Alegre - Single | self-released | 2021
Marco Flores Y La Jerez | México | Ahora Es Cuando (feat Grupo Legítimo) | Ahora Es Cuando (feat Grupo Legítimo) - Single | Nacional | 2022
Fanfare Ciocărlia | Romania-Germany-Austria | First Aid Klezmer (Dunkelbunt remix) | First Aid Klezmer (Dunkelbunt remix) - Single | Asphalt Tango | 2022
Jaakko Laitinen & Väärä Raha | Finland | Lapikasta Lattiaan | Lapikasta Lattiaan - Single | Playground Music Finland | 2022
João Selva | Brazil-France | Bozo Vaza | Se Acabou EP | Underdog | 2022
Captain Planet | USA-Brazil-France | Moqueca (feat Zuzuka Poderosa & Raphael Futura) | Moqueca (feat Zuzuka Poderosa & Raphael Futura) - Single | Bastard Jazz | 2022
Derya Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek | Turkey-Germany-France-England UK | Bal | Dost 2 EP | Bongo Joe / Catapulte | 2022
Cigarbox Man | Chile | Mírame | Mírame - Single | self-released | 2022
Lucidvox | Russia | Burn The Grief | Burn The Grief / Swarm - Single | Glitterbeat | 2022
Yohann Le Ferrand | France-Mali | Konya (feat Mamani Keita) | Yeko EP | self-released | 2022
Kimi Djabaté | Guineé Bissau-Portugal | Alidonke | Alidonke - Single | Cumbancha | 2022
Balimaya Project | England UK-Nigeria-Gambia-Guinée Conakry | Seasons Of Baraka | Seasons Of Baraka - Single | Jazz Re:freshed | 2022

Deep Threes, Mondays, noon-2 p.m.
Objets/Decalages - Trio Gaman - Glerup: Dust Encapsulated
Vertical Staves of Line Drawings and Pointillism - Illuha - Akari
Mess Hall (Merrin, San Diego, CA) - Vijay Iyer/Mike Ladd - Holding It Down: The Veterans' Dreams Project
Zach's Back - Carter Burwell - Seven Psychopaths
Glyph: III. Ecstatic - James Dunham - Time to Burn
Symphonic Poem on Three Notes, for orchestra - Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra - Tan Dun: Concerto for Orchestra
Menace of the Army Wings - Howard Shore - Soul of the Ultimate Nation [Original Soundtrack]
Roses - Keefe Jackson's Likely So - A Round Goal
Terranium - El Portal - Slow Grind
Songs (feat. Chris Potter & Scott Colley) - Freddie Bryant - Dreamscape: Solo, Duo, Trio
Winds of Time: Maestoso/Allegro - Todd Oxford - Synaesthesia
Interlude - Bob Florence - Friends, Treasures, Heroes
The Pilgrim and the Stars - Enrico Rava - The Pilgrim and the Stars
Shakin' It Down - Lynn Manning - Clarity of Vision
Pebble To A Pearl - Nikka Costa - Nikka Costa
Get Up Offa That Thing - James Brown - Get Up Offa That Thing (A-Side)
Cigarettes & Coffee - Etta James - The Dreamer
Futures - Gary Burton - Like Minds

Tracklist for Vital Weekly 1367:
0000 Tune
0014 Eric Random - Premonition Hooligan
0324 Bourbonese Qualk - Workover
0625 Hunting Lodge - Astral Bell
0935 Krylon Hertz - Extraction
1251 Ensamble Kaafka - Le Bateleur
1547 orchestramaxfieldparrish - Island Of Memories
1859 Bourbonese Qualk - Suburb City
2207 Annie Lewandowski & Fred Frith - My Winter Condition
2517 Column One - Religious Tools, Part Two
2825 Asmus Tietchens - Coniin 8
3122 Jac Berrocal & David Fenech & Vincent Epplay
3428 VO - Ephiphanies
3737 Hands To - Heone Trach
4048 Jarl - Part 3: Mind-Symptoms
4358 Harutaka Mochizuki - Eugene
4707 J.J. Gregg - external electron transfer
5016 Rent Romus
5327 Lugola - Better Cancel Yourself
5637 Tune

Here is this week's WGXC Congressional Report, tracking the votes, statements, positions, and campaigns of the representatives and candidates for the 18th, 19th, 20th, and 21st Congressional seats in New York. Current Democrat Rep. Paul Tonko, from the 20th District, votes with the positions of President Joe Biden 100 percent of the time, according to the fivethirtyeight.com website. Republican Elise Stefanik, currently representing the 21st District, votes with Biden's positions 19.3 percent of the time. Democrat Pat Ryan will represent the 18th Congressional District in January, when Republican Marc Molinaro takes over representing the 19th Congressional District. Click here to listen to this report.

Joshua Solomon reports in the Times Union that almost two weeks after the New York Times uncovered an extreme list of lies from Long Island Congressman-elect George Santos, Rep. Elise Stefanik still has not made any comment about her new fellow Republican representative. There are now multiple investigations into the background of the newly elected Congressperson and the sources of his personal wealth and campaign funds. Santos has also lied about his mother's death (claiming it had something to do with the 9/11 attack), falsely claimed his grandparents "survived the Holocaust," and falsely claimed he was half Black. Last May, Stefanik Tweeted a photo with Santos following a campaign fundraiser. "WOW! Great lunch event," she wrote. "George has my complete and total endorsement and come November, New Yorkers will send George to Congress!" Stefanik Tweeted. Another Republican Congressperson, Marc Molinaro, who was elected for the 19th Congressional District, briefly commented on the issue, telling the Democrat & Chronicle that, "this revelation from my colleague is disappointing and distracts from the important work ahead of us." a href="https://www.timesunion.com/state/article/Stefanik-remains-silent-on-Santos-as-she-rallies-17685850.php?IPID=Times-Union-HP-state-package">Read the full story in the Times Union.

Kevin McCarthy did not get enough support in his first vote to become speaker of the House of Representatives on Jan. 3. But McCarthy did get the votes of local Republican representatives Elise Stefanik and Marc Molinaro. Stefanik even nominated McCarthy, a California Republican who was Minority Leader, but did not get enough votes to become Speaker of the House. Here is an excerpt of Stefanik's nomination speech: CLICK HERE TO PLAY SHORT EXCERPT OF NOMINATION SPEECH. The final vote had a Democrat in the lead, as Hakeem Jeffries got all 212 Democrat votes. Republicans split their votes between McCarthy, with 203 votes, followed by ultra-conservative Andy Biggs with ten votes, Jim Jordan from Ohio with six votes, Jim Banks from Indiana with one vote, New York's Lee Zeldin with one vote, and Byron Donalds of Florida with one vote. To become House Speaker, 218 votes are needed. Stefanik represents the 21st Congressional District which now includes Rensselaer County, and Molinaro just took office from the 19th Congressional District. Local Democrats Pat Ryan, from the 18th Congressional District, and Paul Tonko, of the 20th Congressional District, both voted for Jeffries. Now, the House of Representatives will continue to hold votes for the speaker position until someone gets the 218 vote majority. No other business will be done in the House of Representatives until a speaker is chosen. Since Republicans only have a four-vote majority, and lots of internal divisions, it could take many votes for a speaker to emerge. A second vote for Speaker of the House happened right after the first failed vote, but that also ended with McCarthy failing to get the 218 needed votes.

Patricia R. Doxsey reports in the Daily Freeman that Democrat Pat Ryan and Republican Marc Molinaro are swearing they will both work across the aisle in Congress if they can ever be sworn in to their new roles. Ryan was sworn in last summer, replacing Democrat Antonio Delgado for the final weeks of his term in the 19th Congressional District. But then, because of redistricting, Ryan won the 18th Congressional District in the fall's election, and Molinaro won the 19th District seat. Now, though, the Republican majority in the House of Representatives has, over and over again, failed to elect a Speaker of the House, and no other business, including swearing in members, can happen until a speaker is chosen. Ryan said, “It’s definitely disappointing Republicans can’t seem to come together at a time when clearly we’ve got to come together and work to restore trust in our democracy.... I’m just trying to get sworn in and do my job.” Ryan also addressed working with the four-vote Republican majority. He said, “We may appear more divided than ever, but it is my job first and foremost to serve the Hudson Valley.... I’ll work with anyone, regardless of party, who wants to serve their constituents and get things done. And I’ll never hesitate to call out those who dishonor this institution and this country. The stakes are too high right now for anything else,” he said. Molinaro also said he will work with both Republicans and Democrats to deliver “commonsense results that create economic opportunity, address our crumbling infrastructure, and improve public safety.” Read more about this story in the Daily Freeman.

Kenneth C. Crowe II reports in the Times Union that Rep. Elise Stefanik plans to open a district office in Rensselaer County’s new office building on Route 4, Rensselaer County officials said on Jan. 4. Stefanik, a Saratoga County Republican, now represents Rensselaer County, after political boundaries shifted last year. Stefanik's new office in East Greenbush will open next month. County Executive Steve McLaughlin said in a statement, that, "This will help expand convenience and access to important services for our residents by having Congresswoman Stefanik’s offices in Rensselaer County." Stefanik now represents all of Rensselaer County except the cities of Troy and Rensselaer and half of the town of North Greenbush. Read the full story in the Times Union.

Today's daily news update.

Andrea Macko at Porcupine Soup follows up on the shocking story of the Town of Cairo's tax error. On November 7, Cairo Town Supervisor Jason Watts said taxes were only increasing by 0.51 percent as the final 2023 budget was adopted. But then on December 28, town officials say an error was discovered and actually the town tax levy was growing by 7.5 percent and the tax rate was increasing by 5.11 percent. On December 29 the town board held an emergency meeting to pass a local law authorizing an override of the state’s tax cap. Porcupine Soup has repeatedly asked the New York State Comptroller’s Office for comment without a response. Town Attorney Tal Rappleyea did not provide any clarity on the error, saying, “The only thing we can think of is there was some type of typographical or accounting error in the document that the town presented on the night of the public hearing.” The town clearly broke state rules that clearly state the an overide of the. state's tax cap must be passed by a town before they vote on a budget that overides the tax cap. The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance and the New York State Department of State, local governments says towns, “may override the tax levy limit only by first passing a local law” that allows for the tax levy limit to be exceeded. Further stated, “A budget officer, or chief executive, may prepare a tentative budget that requires a tax levy in excess of the levy limit. However, the governing body cannot, without first complying with override requirements, (i) adopt a budget that requires a levy in excess of the tax levy limit, or (ii) impose or cause the imposition of a tax levy to the extent that a budget requires a levy in excess of the levy limit.” Cairo's lawyer seemed to admit that he oversaw the town break the rules. Rappleyea said, “If it turns out that the tax override law is no good, then we have to do what we have to do with the Comptroller’s Office.” The Town of Cairo also seems to be ignoring the rules written specifically for a situation of this sort. The New York State Comptroller’s Office website says, “In the event that a local government or school district levies more than the amount allowable under the tax levy limit due to a ‘clerical or technical error,’ the local government or school district must place the excess amount in a reserve in accordance with requirements as prescribed by the State Comptroller. These funds, and any interest earned, must be used to offset the tax levy in the following fiscal year. Further, if upon post audit, the State Comptroller finds that a local government levied taxes in excess of the allowable limit, the local government must place an amount equal to the excess in the reserve.” Cairo residents are upset about the enormous tax bills they are now getting because of an alleged clerical error. "Calculating the maximum tax levy that a municipality can adopt and remain under the cap percentage is not difficult math. This basic math skill is generally introduced and taught in elementary school,” said Frank Algozzine, a Cairo resident who formerly served as Greene County’s director of Real Property Taxes. "To hear of this kind of gross error in the tax levy increase calculation raises serious concerns in my mind about the entire Town of Cairo town budget," Algozzine said. The next Town of Cairo board meeting is at 7 p.m.,, January 9 at the town hall. Read more about this story at Porcupine Soup follows up.

Nick Reisman reports at New York State of Politics that Gov. Kathy Hochul has approved a new law preventing any party in a mortgage foreclosure process from unilaterally stopping and restarting the statute of limitations to bring back what would otherwise be a time-barred application. "I heartily applaud Governor Kathy Hochul for doing the right thing to make sure the foreclosure process in New York is fair to all parties concerned," said state Sen. James Sanders, who sponsored the legislation. "For most two people, a home is a family’s biggest investment and it is where they live their lives." Assemblyperson Helene Weinstein also backed the measure, saying, "The deck has long been stacked against homeowners due to a highly flawed mortgage foreclosure process, and this bill will go a long way to adding back some fairness to the process." Read the full story at New York State of Politics.

Melanie Lekocevic reports for Capital Region Independent Media that the Town of Coeymans celebrates its 350th anniversary this year. There will be a parade and other special events this summer and right now the historical society’s museum at 15 Mountain Road in Ravena has an exhibit on the town's founding. “You don’t really know who you are if you don’t know where you’ve come from or where you’ve been,” Albany County Legislator Zachary Collins, a Republican who represents Coeymans, said after visiting the exhibit. “I just had a tour of the museum and it’s amazing. It makes you proud to see where we’ve come from and the history of the town.” The exhibit traces the town history back to 1673 when Barent Koijemans received a patent for a 125-square-mile tract of land where he would build the stone “Coeymans Castle” at the corner of what is now Westerlo and First streets. Read the full story at The Upstater.com.

Today's daily news update.