On May 15, Swiss voters approved a four percent tax levy on international streaming services there, to be invested in local film production, with 58.42 percent of voters favoring the measure. Switzerland is the latest European country to support local TV and film production and boost locally-produced content by taxing the international streaming services, such as Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and others. "This result underlines the cultural importance of film-making in Switzerland," Swiss Interior Minister Alain Berset told a press conference on May 15. The international companies can buy locally-made shows, make programmes themselves in the country, or put the money into an investment fund. "We believe that good stories can come from anywhere, and we have already invested in content from Switzerland in the past," a Netflix spokesperson said. Portugal already passed a similar law, with streaming service providers paying one percent of their income to the Institute of Cinema and Audiovisuals. France and Italy also already make streaming services invest a proportion of their revenues in European content in local languages, while Denmark and Spain are considering similar proposals, Reuters reports.

Here is this week's Hudson Valley Congressional Report from WGXC, tracking the votes, statements, positions, and campaigns of the representatives of the Hudson Valley in Congress and the candidates who want to replace them. Current Democrat Reps. Antonio Delgado, Paul Tonko, and Sean Maloney vote with the positions of President Joe Biden 100 percent of the time, according to the fivethirtyeight.com website. Republican Elise Stefanik voted with Biden's positions 18 percent of the time. Click here to listen to this report.

Patricia R. Doxsey reports in the Daily Freeman that Democratic Chairwoman Kelleigh McKenzie said the committee to fill vacancies for the 19th Congressional District filed a “certificate of substitution” for Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan with the state Board of Elections on May 9. The move will allow Ryan to replace Rep. Antonio Delgado on the ballot for the NY-19 Congressional District. Delgado was just named Lieutenant Governor by Gov. Kathy Hochul, but has not officially resigned, and has not said exactly when he will leave that office. Delgado, a Democrat, was going to face Republican Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro this November. Ryan’s filing gives him the right to replace Delgado on the ballot. Daniel Torres, a spokesperson for the Democrat said, “Today papers were filed in Albany as part of a technical procedure to ensure that County Executive Ryan has as many options as possible as he continues to discuss with his family and neighbors about a potential candidacy for Congress.” Torres also said Ryan “has received support from residents all over upstate New York who are inspired by his record of service and who are fearful of Washington extremism taking over this seat.” Ryan is expected to announce a decision later this week. Saugerties-based state Senator Michelle Hinchey said last week that she is not running for the Congressional seat, but for re-election. What the 19th Congressional District is remains up in the air, as a court threw out redistricting maps Democrats in Albany drew as gerrymandered. Read more about this story at the Daily Freeman.

Joshua Solomon in the Times Union asks when Rep. Antonio Delgado will resign and become lieutenant governor. He does not get an answer. Gov. Kathy Hochul tapped the current 19th Congressional District representative as her second-in-command May 3, saying she would announce the exact date he would assume the role "in the near future," adding it would be "sometime this month." If Delgado resigns now, or later in June, it would trigger a special election to fill the seat. But if Delgado resigns between May 25 to June 4, that special election could be held on the same day as the state's congressional and state Senate primaries, Aug. 23. "If there was a plan, say it," said Marc Molinaro, the Republican seeking the Congressional seat. "We assume their plan is to maximize their political benefit.... I think it's in the best interest of all us to have a special election to fill the seat." Actually, it would be in the best interest of taxpayers to have the elections on the same day, and the story says unnamed political observers believe Republicans prefer lower voter turnout, which would happen with a one-race, special election. Democrat Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan has hinted he will run to fill Delgado's seat. Delgado is not commenting, nor is his staff, and Hochul's office says they are "working with the lieutenant governor-designate's team on the transition." Further complicating the election to replace Delgado, is that no one know's where the district will represent, as the redistricting process is still tied up in court after the Democrats gerrymandered maps were thrown out. Read more about this story in the Times Union.

The Times Union is reporting U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko on May 6 stopped by the Port of Albany to promote a plan to make the Capital Region into a hub of offshore wind development. The federal lawmakers announced a bill that would deploy offshore wind energy, create 77,000 jobs and cut carbon emissions. The Restoring Offshore Wind Opportunities Act would reverse a Trump-era ban on offshore wind leasing. Gillibrand said in a news release the legislation would "open the gates to innovation in clean energy." President Joe Biden has set the goal to generate 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030.  In January, the administration also announced it would auction off leases to an area of ocean called the New York Bight off the coasts of New Jersey and New York. State lobbying records show that General Electric Co. has recently been meeting with state and local officials about building an offshore wind manufacturing facility in the region. Read the full story in the Times Union.

Nick Reisman is reporting for State of Politics state health officials Fri., May 13, recommended indoor mask-wearing for New Yorkers in high-risk counties for COVID-19 as case counts have increased over the last several weeks. There are now 45 counties in the state deemed to be high risk for COVID transmission, an increase from 36 counties a week ago, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Greene. Columbia, Ulster, Albany, Rensselaer and Dutchess counties are all now deemed to be at high risk. Sixteen counties are designated as being at medium risk, according to the CDC. Mask-wearing indoors is also recommended for people who are personally at high risk for the virus. The seven-day average of cases per 100,000 residents stands at 49.26, an increase from 34.5 cases per 100,000 on April 28. State Health Commissioner Mary Bassett said, “In accordance with guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we recommend that all New Yorkers in high-risk COVID-19 counties and all New Yorkers at-risk of severe disease wear a mask in public indoor places, regardless of vaccination status. These public health measures, as well as ensuring proper air ventilation when gathering, will help reduce COVID-19 transmission in communities and lower the risk of serious illness and hospitalization for individuals. We will continue to work with local partners and make every tool at our disposal widely available to New Yorkers, as we move forward through the pandemic.” While statewide indoor mask requirements for businesses, schools, and other public gathering spaces have been dropped, they remain in place for mass transit, jails and health care settings as well as homeless shelters. Read the full story at nystateofpolitics [dot] com.

Noah Eckstein is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media the union representing workers at Columbia Memorial Health announced May 13, it had reached an agreement with CMH to increase pay rates for registered nurses, patient care assistants, and respiratory therapists. The agreement was reached following a meeting this week between the union and hospital representatives. Local 1199 of the Service Employee International Union represents all workers at Columbia Memorial, except physicians. Beginning May 16, the base rate for registered nurses and respiratory therapists will increase by $5 per hour, according to union representatives. Patient care assistants will receive a $2.50 per hour raise, making their new base rate $16 per hour. Mindy H. Berman, the union’s regional communications director, said first-year registered nurses will make $33.20 per hour, and nurses who have been working for 10 years will make $45.45 per hour. More senior patient care assistants will be paid about $18 per hour. “This is a win, but it is not over,” said Greg Speller, executive vice president of the Hudson Valley region for 1199 Service Employee International Union, United Healthcare Workers East. “It is a very sad fact that the 1199 members and their community allies were dragged by the hospital over the staffing crisis — we haven’t had to do that with other hospitals we’ve dealt with.” Approximately 660 CMH employees are members of 1199, down from 850 members two years ago. The Hudson Common Council unanimously voted April 19 to support the health care workers in the contract fight. Hospital staff, during a public meeting on April 11, described working conditions, low pay and understaffing at CMH. Speller said even with the higher wages getting by will be hard for the hospital’s workers. The union has provided three more dates for meetings to discuss pay increases for other health care workers at CMH. “It is about other folks who play really essential roles at the hospital like mental health assistants, the emergency department, licensed radiology technicians, and more,” Speller said. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.

The Hawthorne Valley Association announced on May 13 a confirmed Listeria Monocytogenes contamination of its raw milk, exclusively sold at its farm store in Ghent. On May 3 a sample of raw milk was taken from the creamery’s bulk tank by the state Department of Agriculture and Markets. Two days later, the sample came back as presumptive positive for the harmful bacteria that can cause Listeriosis, a serious infection usually caused by eating contaminated food. The positive result was confirmed on May 12. All raw milk has been removed from the shelves and any that was purchased since May 2 must be discarded. The milk will be retested by the state until it is confirmed that is safe again to consume. The association said it in a statement, "Listeria Monocytogenes is a species of bacteria that can cause the infection Listeriosis and we are taking this situation very seriously. While no illnesses have been reported, we are working closely with the state to determine the source of the pathogen..." The farm is taking a variety of precautionary measures and will not sale milk again until it has an all-clear from New York Ag and Markets. Anyone with questions is urged to call the store at (518) 672-4465 ext. 2.

Today's daily news update.

Natasha Vaughn-Holdridge reports for Columbia-Greene Media that the Columbia County Board of Supervisors will continue to livestream their meetings on YouTube. “We will still live-stream it on YouTube, so that the public can watch it,” Board of Supervisors Chair Matt Murell said. “But it the public wants to make comments they have to come to 401 (State St.)” in Hudson. The board also passed a local law allowing supervisors to participate remotely for full meetings or committees when necessary, beginning in June. “The way the law is set up is meetings will be in person and if there is extenuating circumstances, a supervisor can still join in virtually,” Murell said. “That can be because of illness or because of child care issues and so on.” Hudson, Philmont, Catskill, and many other local towns also provide live web streams of their meetings for constituents. Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.

Joshua Solomon in the Times Union asks when Rep. Antonio Delgado will resign and become lieutenant governor. He does not get an answer. Gov. Kathy Hochul tapped the current 19th Congressional District representative as her second-in-command May 3, saying she would announce the exact date he would assume the role "in the near future," adding it would be "sometime this month." If Delgado resigns now, or later in June, it would trigger a special election to fill the seat. But if Delgado resigns between May 25 to June 4, that special election could be held on the same day as the state's congressional and state Senate primaries, Aug. 23. "If there was a plan, say it," said Marc Molinaro, the Republican seeking the Congressional seat. "We assume their plan is to maximize their political benefit.... I think it's in the best interest of all us to have a special election to fill the seat." Actually, it would be in the best interest of taxpayers to have the elections on the same day, and the story says unnamed political observers believe Republicans prefer lower voter turnout, which would happen with a one-race, special election. Democrat Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan has hinted he will run to fill Delgado's seat. Delgado is not commenting, nor is his staff, and Hochul's office says they are "working with the lieutenant governor-designate's team on the transition." Further complicating the election to replace Delgado, is that no one know's where the district will represent, as the redistricting process is still tied up in court after the Democrats gerrymandered maps were thrown out. Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Rebecca C. Lewis reports for City and State about what lawmakers in Albany might pass before the legislature's session ends June 2. Since the leaked U.S. Supreme Court draft decision overturning Roe v. Wade became public, state lawmakers have been discussing ways to strengthen New York's laws, and fund abortions for women coming from more restrictive states. The "Clean Slate Act," which would clear the records of many convicted of crimes when a certain amount of time passes after their release. "Good Cause" eviction laws have already been passed in the cities of Albany and Poughkeepsie, and state lawmakers are considering a state law that would make it harder for landlords to evict tenants. Read more about this story at City and State.

Today's daily news update.

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

Bill Williams is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media a large brush fire burned for more than four hours on May 10, in Stuyvesant. “It was a tough fire to fight,” said Stuyvesant fire chief Steve Montie. Some brush burned, but the fire mostly consumed piles of cut-down trees, wood and other items. Some of the material that burned was buried underground, Montie said. At about 3:30 p.m., Columbia County 911 dispatched the Stuyvesant Fire Company to a location on Eichybush Road, after receiving reports of a brush fire consuming roughly 100 feet of land. When firefighters arrived on the scene, the fire had grown and seven more fire companies with brush fighting equipment were summoned to the scene. The blaze was located about half a mile off Eichybush Road, in the middle of a large field. Fire trucks were able to use one of the dirt roads on the farm to get to the fire, but driving the trucks around the fire scene was more difficult. Firefighters used a pond on the property as a water source. An excavator, a payloader and a bulldozer were used to pull apart the piles of trees so firefighters could get more water on them, Montie said. Smoke from the fire was visible from several miles away. The fire was brought under control after about four hours. More than one acre was blackened, Montie said. There were no reported injuries. The fire began because the property owner was illegally burning materials and was subsequently ticketed by the state Department of Environmental Conservation, Montie said. The annual statewide burn ban went into effect on March 16, and is set to expire May 14. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.

Nick Reisman is reporting for State of Politics New York Attorney General Letitia James is warning consumers to be on the alert for price gouging of baby formula during the ongoing supply shortage. The lack of formula has dragged on for several weeks after supply chain problems and a recall from a major supplier early in the year. The scarcity has led to some parents driving to multiple stores to find formula. James also warned retailers about boosting the cost of baby formula beyond a reasonable price during the shortage. “The national baby formula shortage is terrifying for parents concerned about how to feed their children,” James said. “The last thing any family needs is to be price gouged on critical nutrition for their little ones, which is why I am putting profiteers seeking to take advantage of this crisis on notice." James' staff is urging consumers to report any potential price gouging by filing a complaint at the attorney general's website. Meanwhile, James urged parents who have extra formula to consider donations to food pantries to help needy families. Read the full story at nystateofpolitics [dot] com.

William J. Kemble is reporting for the Daily Freeman the town of Woodstock's nine-month moratorium on the creation or approval of new lodging projects has lapsed. An ad hoc committee continues to work on recommendations for zoning updates involving affordable housing and short-term rentals. Officials on May 10, were told draft zoning changes would be submitted by the town Housing Oversight Task Force during a special May 31 town board meeting, roughly a month after the moratorium expired. “We thought we would be done sooner but … we want to be sure that what we’re providing is something of value to everyone,” committee member Deborah DeWan said. The task force was established in February and expects to complete a revision of the town’s 300-page zoning code along with a summary of the proposed changes. “Part of the goal here is to … protect our environment but make development easier,” Supervisor Bill McKenna said. “...We’re trying to incentivize development so that we can get more affordable housing,” he said. McKenna noted that state programs exist that can be used to help the town develop reserve funds that can be put toward conservation easements. Under the moratorium, task force members were directed to “consider regional needs and development trends, the existing and proposed location and intensity of land development, the historic, cultural and natural resources of the town, population, demographic and socio-economic trends and infrastructure.” Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

Radio World reports that the Federal Communications Commission, on May 11, said they are not allowing electronics companies Sennheiser and Shure to use a vacant channel in the UHF television frequencies for wireless microphones. Both companies manufacture wireless microphones, which are typically used by stage performers so they don't trip over cables. Currently the FCC allows wireless microphone on empty broadcast television frequencies (TV channels 2-36), and also at 600 MHz duplex gap (653-657 MHz), while unlicensed wireless microphones may operate on a portion of the 600 MHz guard band (614-616 MHz) and a portion of the 600 MHz duplex gap (657-663 MHz). But there is not a single dedicated channel for their use. The National Association of Broadcasters, the lobby for commercial radio and television stations, argued against the idea. The FCC wrote, “Although we have concluded that we should not proceed with the proposals in this docket, the commission is committed to supporting white space devices and wireless microphones and has pursued, and continues to pursue, avenues to ensure adequate spectrum availability for the important services they provide.” The FCC is still considering a different proposal to allow Wireless Multi-Channel Audio Systems to use the TV bands and other LPAS frequency bands on a licensed basis.

Today's daily news update.

Joshua Solomon reports in the Times Union that there will be at least two debates between candidates running for governor this year. The debates announced so far, June 7 and 16, will be between Democrats in the primary election. Incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul, Long Island Rep. Tom Suozzi, and New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams are expected to participate in the debates. Williams, who is also running on the Working Families Party line, wanted more than two debates, but says that though Hochul previously said she would participate in "multiple debates," she would only agree to two forums with the other candidates. "The governor’s refusal to accept additional invitations demonstrates an aversion to transparency and an unwillingness to speak openly about her own record," Williams said. Suozzi said Hochul, "does not want to face the hard-hitting questions about her failures" on campaign issues, such as crime, taxes, and corruption. "The voters should be entitled to hold her accountable," Suozzi said. Instead of creating debates that all media could air, the June 7 debate will be hosted by WCBS-TV Channel 2, CBS News New York, and Newsradio 880, all in New York City. The other debate on June 16 will be hosted by NBC New York, Telemundo 47, and the Times Union. Read more about this story in the Times Union.

New York State of Politics reports that though the New York Labor Department’s Farm Laborer’s Wage Board voted in January to treat farm workers the same as most other workers, they are still not getting overtime pay after a week of 40 hours of work. “I’m really at a loss as to what is taking so long,” said Richard Witt, executive director of Rural Migrant Ministries. “For years actually, we’ve heard the Farm Bureau and other farmers say that they couldn’t afford this change. And the governor put in the budget a tax credit that would enable them to afford it. So I think the governor has addressed their main concern. So I’m really at a loss as to why this delay.” The Farm Laborers Wage Board still needs to vote to adopt its official report from January, then state Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon will have 45 days from when she receives the report to approve it or overturn the vote. Most all workers in New York get overtime pay after 40 hours of work in a week, but not farm workers. “There’s really no moral justification for not treating farm workers the same,” Witt said. “They have families; they need to pay their bills.” Farmers, who would have to pay the overtime rates, are opposed to farm workers being treated the same as grocery store employees. On May 11, the Business Council of New York State, the National Federation of Independent Businesses of New York, and Upstate United sent letters to Gov. Kathy Hochul asking to keep the threshold for farm worker overtime at 60 hours of labor a week. Read more about this story at New York State of Politics.

Tim Martin reports for Columbia-Greene Media that Catskill High School plays Chatham for Patroon baseball conference title on May 13. Catskill defeated Maple Hill May 11 3-2 to advance, while Chatham beat Greenville 9-3 on May 11. The conference championship takes place at 4:30 p.m. at Columbia-Greene Community College. Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.

Today's daily news update.