Here is this week's WGXC Congressional Report, tracking the votes, statements, positions, and campaigns of the representatives and candidates for the 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 just began represented the 19th District, and has yet to be included in the rankings. Click here to listen to this report.

Mid-Hudson News is reporting that Congressman-elect and outgoing Ulster County Executive Patrick Ryan has done an about-face and endorsed former state Senator Jen Metzger for the Democratic nomination to succeed him. On September 6 Ryan announced he would not endorse a candidate to succeed him, saying the county Democratic Committee would choose the best person to run. “We’ll leave that to the folks wiser than me — the voters and residents of the county, to decide who’s next...," Ryan said at the time. Three Democrats are in the running for the party endorsement, which will be decided at the party convention on September 17. The person chosen will effectively be the next county executive since no Republican has entered the race. The other two Democrats interested in filling the position are County Comptroller March Gallagher and Deputy County Executive Marc Rider. In the September 10 announcement Ryan said, “I proudly endorse Jen Metzger for Ulster County executive because I know she will build upon the many successes that we have had here in Ulster County. Jen is a person of integrity, who brings great compassion to understanding the needs of the community. She has the experience and the drive to deliver results.” Read more at MidHudsonNews [dot] com.

Former Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan was sworn in as the new Congressperson in New York's 19th Congressional District on Sept. 13. Ryan, a Democrat, fills the final weeks of Antonio Delgado's term, after he resigned to become New York's lieutenant governor. Ryan spoke briefly, standing next to local Reps. Paul Tonko and Sean Maloney, on the U.S. House floor after he was sworn in. Click here to download or play a short excerpt of Ryan's speech. Ryan was assigned to the Armed Services committee.

Ryan: I pledge that I will fight every single day with every ounce of my being to deliver for the great people of New York's 19th district and renew trust and faith in our nation. pic.twitter.com/93dDTGtoS1

— Acyn (@Acyn) September 13, 2022

Olivia Beavers reports at Politico that Florida Rep. Byron Donalds, is challenging Republican conference chair Elise Stefanik for the number three position among GOP House leadership. “At the end of the day, the members want us to make sure that the best person can represent the conference at a time where we’re up against some of the worst policies this country’s ever seen,” Donalds added. “And we have to reverse course immediately, and I think I have a unique ability to help with that.” Stefanik previously considered trying to move up to the number two role, as House whip. Instead, she decided to remain conference chair, if she is re-elected and can beat off Donalds challenge. On Sept. 13, Stefanik released a statement that only hinted at the new competition. “I am proud to have unified the entire Republican Conference around our country in crisis message and shattered fundraising records as House GOP Conference Chair raising over $10M for candidates and committees this cycle,” Stefanik said. Donalds, who is Black, said his decision to run for the post is “not really about Elise,” but about his ability to appeal to “people who typically are not Republicans.” Donalds has bragged that he did not get the COVID-19 vaccine. Stefanik voted against certifying results of the fair 2020 presidential election. Read the full story in Politico.

Patricia R. Doxsey reports for the Daily Freeman that after being sworn in as the 19th Congressional District representative on Sept. 13, Democrat Pat Ryan named two staff members. Robert Dougherty, who was legislative director for former U.S. Rep. Antonio Delgado, will be Ryan’s chief of staff. Ryan will have one local office, in Kingston, headed by Kayleen Scali, who was Ryan’s chief of staff while he was Ulster County executive. Ryan’s Kingston office is at 256 Clinton Ave. Its phone number is (845) 443–2930, and his Washington, DC Office is at 1007 Longworth Building. Its phone number is (202) 225–5614. Ryan will only be the 19th Congressional District representative for a few weeks, filling in the end of Delgado's term after he resigned to become lieutenant governor. Ryan is running for the new 18th Congressional District this fall, while Democrat Josh Riley and Republican Marc Molinaro compete for the new 19th Congressional District seat. Patricia R. Doxsey reports for the Daily Freeman.

Alex Gault reports in the Post Star that Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik is one of 86 co-sponsors of the House version of a bill from South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham to ban most abortions after 15 weeks nationwide. While local politicians have been promising abortion rights are safe in this state, the “Protecting Pain-Capable Unborn Children from Late-Term Abortions Act,” if passed, would override state laws and ban abortion in New York. Current New York law limits abortions for viable pregnancies up to 24 weeks of age, although allows the medical procedure later if the health of the mother or fetus is at risk. “Congresswoman Stefanik, a young mother, is pro-life with exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother,” said a statement from Stefanik’s advisor Alex DeGrasse. “She strongly opposes taxpayer funding for abortions and supports the Hyde Amendment. Her constituents are proud of her long pro-life record throughout her time in Congress.” The Hyde Amendment passed in Congress in 1977, banning federal funding for abortion except when the mother’s life is in danger and can be saved with the procedure. Matt Castelli, running against Stefanik in the 21st Congressional District that will include Rensselaer County, disagrees. “Elise Stefanik has put a target on the back of every woman in NY-21 and threatens the health of millions of American women by taking away their freedoms,” he said. “She continues to demonstrate that she is willing to sell out anyone for her own benefit, willing to deprive women of the right to make decisions about their own bodies, willing to threaten the lives of women — all to advance her own career. This dangerous and unconstitutional ban makes it clear that Elise Stefanik is unfit for leadership, and wholly unfit to represent the people of NY-21.” Read more about this story in the Post Star.

Today's daily news update.

Heather Bellow reports in The Berkshire Eagle that officals in Great Barrington are discussing renaming Squaw Road. Last week, the federal government announced that nearly 650 sites in the U.S. that formerly bore the word “Squaw” have been renamed. That includes the former Squaw Peak on Monument Mountain near Stockbridge, which was changed last year to Peeskawso Peak. And Squaw Swamp in Rensselaer County was renamed Black Swamp. The word “squaw” is considered an offensive slur. Great Barrington Town Manager Mark Pruhenski said residents of 17 out of 18 households along the road met this summer about a name change., and the Select Board will discuss the issue on Oct. 3. “I think we’ll be ready to move forward with a decision very soon now,” Pruhenski said in an email. In January, someone sheared the road sign for Squaw Road from its post. Read more about this story in The Berkshire Eagle.

Alex Gault reports in the Post Star that Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik is one of 86 co-sponsors of the House version of a bill from South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham to ban most abortions after 15 weeks nationwide. While local politicians have been promising abortion rights are safe in this state, the “Protecting Pain-Capable Unborn Children from Late-Term Abortions Act,” if passed, would override state laws and ban abortion in New York. Current New York law limits abortions for viable pregnancies up to 24 weeks of age, although allows the medical procedure later if the health of the mother or fetus is at risk. “Congresswoman Stefanik, a young mother, is pro-life with exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother,” said a statement from Stefanik’s advisor Alex DeGrasse. “She strongly opposes taxpayer funding for abortions and supports the Hyde Amendment. Her constituents are proud of her long pro-life record throughout her time in Congress.” The Hyde Amendment passed in Congress in 1977, banning federal funding for abortion except when the mother’s life is in danger and can be saved with the procedure. Matt Castelli, running against Stefanik in the 21st Congressional District that will include Rensselaer County, disagrees. “Elise Stefanik has put a target on the back of every woman in NY-21 and threatens the health of millions of American women by taking away their freedoms,” he said. “She continues to demonstrate that she is willing to sell out anyone for her own benefit, willing to deprive women of the right to make decisions about their own bodies, willing to threaten the lives of women — all to advance her own career. This dangerous and unconstitutional ban makes it clear that Elise Stefanik is unfit for leadership, and wholly unfit to represent the people of NY-21.” Read more about this story in the Post Star.

Chris Bragg reports in the Times Union that the state of California paid 45 percent less than New York for the same COVID-19 tests supplied by a donor to Gov. Kathy Hochul. New York spent New York's $637 million on the tests from the New Jersey-based distributor Digital Gadgets, LLC. That is $286 million more than the price California was charged. Digital Gadgets, LLC is a company owned by a New York City family that has donated nearly $300,000 to Hochul’s campaign. California bought the tests directly from the manufacturer at $6.75 per test, while New York paid the distributor $12.25 per test. New York bought the tests three weeks earlier than California, during a shortage of tests that may explain some of the price disparity. "The price is just way off the map, and we still haven't heard anything close to a convincing explanation for why the price was so high, and why the Hochul administration not only accepted a price that was so high, but made this their primary supplier," said Bill Hammond, senior fellow for health policy at the Empire Center for Public Policy. “If the tests were being sold to another state at the same time — at a better price — New York should have been able to get something closer to that price, even if the state was snapping up the last tests available." Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Today's daily news update.

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

Mary Dempsey is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media Hudson Mayor Kamal Johnson is considering a run for state Assembly in 2024. “I’m not ruling out running for Assembly,” Johnson said on September 15. “It’s not out of the question. I think, career-wise, that would be the next step.” The 106th Assembly District seat is currently occupied by fellow Democrat, Assemblymember Didi Barrett. Barrett is running for reelection this year and has represented the district since 2013. Johnson is currently serving the first year of his second two-year term as mayor. Although he is looking at an Assembly run, he also making plans to run next year for a third term as mayor. “My ultimate goal is to secure a third term as mayor,” he said. “I am making sure we put a dent in the affordable housing crisis in the city. And a lot of initiatives have started under my administration.” Johnson pointed to capital projects that have begun as part of the $10 million state-funded Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant the city received in 2017. In addition, he cited his involvement in the HudsonUP universal basic income lottery. Johnson is a supporter of the initiative and also serves with the Mayors for a Guaranteed Income network, a collective of 30 mayors nationwide involved with similar programs. Looking to the future and a possible Assembly run, Johnson believes that his work on the local level would make him a more effective state leader. “...I know what’s needed by local leaders and I could bring that to a higher elected office,” he said. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.

WNYT [dot] com is reporting Albany Med is eliminating 37 positions, and does not intend fill several others. CEO Dennis McKenna said on September 15, the hospital has an “unprecedented” $66 million year-to-date operating loss. The hospital says the positions to be cut were mostly non-clinical, and frontline workers were not affected. Officials said all affected workers will receive severance pay and job placement help.. According to McKenna, the leadership team has developed a financial mitigation plan that includes an organizational restructure, primarily in management roles. “This is not a situation unique to us. Health care organizations throughout the U.S. remain strained by staffing levels, reliance on costly agency contracts, and rising expenses across the board,” said McKenna, in a September 14, letter to staff. “These decisions are exceptionally difficult. They are necessary to protect our future as an independent health system with the highest quality care in our region.” The hospital also says several staff members will be moved or restructured. Read more at WNYT [dot] com.

Bill Williams is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media because the state is owed more than $64 million in unpaid tolls, the New York State Thruway Authority will crack down on the motorists who have not paid. Any driver who refuses to pay will receive four notices listing late fees before they are referred to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles to have their car registrations suspended, Thruway Executive Director Matthew Driscoll said. The $64 million in past due tolls date from 2018 to 2021; the Thruway made the switch to cashless tolling in November 2020, Motorists with E-ZPass are billed automatically when their vehicle passes under a toll gantry. License plates of the cars and trucks without E-ZPass are photographed and a bill for the accumulated tolls is mailed. Driscoll said, “Customers without the E-ZPass were entirely unfamiliar with the process and did not understand that a toll bill will be mailed to them. They also did not know that they needed to have their most up-to-date address on file with DMV as required by law.” Some action the Thruway has taken to help educate drivers includes: Installing new signage; simplifying billing statements; offering an amnesty program to help customers; enhancing technology; and increasing staffing at their call centers. Toll revenue is used for maintenance of the Thruway’s 426 miles of mainline road. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.

Today's daily news update.

Raga Justin reports in the Times Union that U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is asking the White House to hurry $3.1 billion in recent federal funding to small farms, saying inflation woes for farmers and drought conditions in New York. Altogether, there is $5.3 billion in loan relief and general financial assistance in the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act that is going to agricultural interests. Gillibrand wants to make sure they get it quickly. "By not defining who exactly will be eligible for relief, the Inflation Reduction Act creates the potential of countless small farms to be left out of the program, initially designed to help them," Gillibrand said. "Reduced demand, rising costs and supply chain disruptions have made it extremely difficult for many farmers to keep their businesses afloat.... For years, they've struggled to find and pay workers, maintain their equipment and put food on the table for American families." At a press conference on Sept. 14, Gillibrand also weighed in on the news that New York farmworkers would get overtime pay after 40 hours of work, like other employees ten years from now. "Obviously, this is going to have a big impact on the farms' ability to stay in business," Gillibrand said. "So we need to figure out how to get them more resources if that is made a requirement." Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Paul Kirby reports in the Daily Freeman that Ulster County's free bus rides begin October 1. But Ulster County Area Transition, commonly known as UCAT, has a problem too. “Along with numerous transit agencies and markets across the nation, Ulster County Area Transit is experiencing labor shortages,” UCAT said on its webpage. “The labor shortage situation has resulted in cancellation and/or delays to UCAT’s bus service. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this has caused to all the UCAT passengers.” So bus riders in Ulster County should check the Rider Alerts and News page on the UCAT website at ucat.ulstercountyny.gov, and the UCAT Transit app. Riders can also call Transit Dispatch at (845) 334-8458, before a trip. The Ulster County Legislature on Aug. 17 voted 16-7 to eliminate fares, with all Republicans voting against the proposal, and Democrats voting in favor. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

New York's first fall foliage report is out this week, as the leaves begin to turn. "Fall colors are just beginning to appear in the Catskills. In Delaware County, spotters in Delhi project up to 10 percent foliage change this weekend, with some bright pops of orange and yellow leaves just beginning to appear. Foliage will be less than 10 percent changed in Greene County, with some touches of orange in Catskill. Spotters in the towns of Windham and Hunter also predict less than 10 percent foliage change, with some yellow leaves arriving over the mostly green backdrop," the report says. "In the Hudson Valley, Dutchess County reports from Hopewell Junction expect up to 10% color change this weekend with the emergence of some bright touches of red. Orange County spotters in Goshen and Middletown predict up to 10% color change with some bright yellow and red leaves beginning to appear." New York's fall foliage report website has complete details.

Today's daily news update.

The Daily Freeman is reporting that a veteran support program will now be offered to residents of Greene County as the result of a $185,000 appropriation included in the state budget this year. State Sen. Michelle Hinchey this week announced the expansion of the PFC Joseph V. Dwyer Veteran Peer Support program into Greene County. The program will be administered by the Hudson Valley Center for Veteran Reintegration, in partnership with the Greene County Veterans Service Agency and the county Department of Mental Health, and was officially in operation as of September 12. Veterans in Greene County interested in joining the local PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Program chapter are asked to contact Program Manager Arin VanDemark via email at arin [dot] vandemark [at] hvncvr [dot] org or by calling (518) 719-0020. The Dwyer office is located in the Greene County Office Building in Cairo. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

Melissa Manno and Lauren Stanforth are reporting for the Times Union that the Albany International Airport will receive $60 million for a $100 million project to expand its terminal and provide more space for security checkpoint and concessions. The award, announced by Gov. Kathy Hochul on September 14, is the largest state grant the airport has received. The $60 million was part of a $230 million grant awarded to other upstate airports for modernization, which included the Binghamton, Watertown, Syracuse, Rochester, Ogdensburg, Saratoga County, Sullivan County, and Adirondack airports. Albany airport CEO Philip Calderone said the money will be used to expand the terminal so that security lines do not back up on the pedestrian bridge from the parking garage to the terminal, and to better separate concessions from the TSA checkpoint. The terminal expansion will also include a modern business center for conferences, a children’s play zone and additional retail space. The project will also improve the facility’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. The funding for the projects came from the Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization Competition administered by the state Department of Transportation. Albany International is also expected to receive $28.7 million in federal funding included in the infrastructure bill, which will be used along with the state monies to fund the terminal expansion. Read the full story in the Times Union.

Andrea Macko is reporting for Porcupine Soup that Central Hudson Gas and Electric is once more warning customers to prepare for higher energy supply prices as electric and natural gas prices increase again, the company announced September 13. The residential price for electric supply will increase from 8.32 cents per kilowatt hour in August to 13.06 cents per kilowatt hour as of September 13. Natural gas prices that went into effect on September 1 also increased from 87.1 cents per hundred cubic feet in August to 97.8 cents per hundred cubic feet. According to Central Hudson, the utility purchases electricity and gas from “third-party suppliers on behalf of customers. These costs are not marked up and Central Hudson does not profit from them, meaning customers pay the same rates as Central Hudson for the energy they use.” Several international, national, and regional factors are contributing to this market volatility, Central Hudson says. For instance, inflation is plaguing the entire planet since the pandemic, and Russia's invasion of Ukraine has wreaked havoc on energy markets. Read the full story at porcupine soup [dot] com.

Today's daily news update.

Chris Gelardi and Emily Brown report in New York Focus that five months after a law to scale back solitary confinement in New York went into effect, state prisons are routinely violating that law. A majority of the New York prison system’s solitary population had been held there for longer than the Humane Alternatives to Long-Term Solitary Confinement Act allows. As of Sept. 1, 276 people have been held in solitary confinement longer than the new law allows. As of Sept. 1, "the average person in solitary had been held there for longer than the legal limit," the story reports. The New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, which runs the state prison system, refused to comment on the issue, saying only that it “continuously monitors the status of incarcerated individuals housed in [solitary confinement] cells and makes every effort to effect transfers as expeditiously as possible.” Is anyone doing anything about the constant law-breaking by prison officials? “There’s no accountability from DOCCS whatsoever,” said Victor Pate, an organizer with the New York Campaign for Alternatives to Isolated Confinement. “There’s no oversight. And it’s just a mess right now.” State Senator Julia Salazar sponsored the solitary confinement legislation and chairs the corrections committee. “It’s harder to implement any change in the law in a place that is shrouded in secrecy and the public eye is kept away from it,” she said. Read the full story in New York Focus.