New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announces the budget agreement.

Click here to play or download an audio version of this report (5:49).

The leaders of the Assembly and Senate reached a budget agreement with Governor Andrew Cuomo this weekend. The budget totals $153 billion. Here are some of the important parts of that budget for local communities:
• Free tuition at SUNY schools for families earning less than $125,000 and tuition increases for others.
• Companies that give people rides such as Uber and Lyft are now allowed to compete with local taxi services upstate.
• A new tax credit for farms that donate to food banks.
• $10 million for an immigration defense fund, providing legal help to undocumented immigrants.
• Now 16- and 17-year-old criminal offenders will not be prosecuted as adults.
• A “federal financial response mechanism,” giving Cuomo the power to make changes to the budget even after it is approved, in case cuts from the federal government make new plans necessary.
The Daily Freeman looked at some local school's funding in the budget:
CATSKILL 2016-17 aid, $17,894,604; 2017-18 aid, $18,149,412, a 1.42 percent increase.
GERMANTOWN 2016-17 aid, $5,146,522; 2017-18 aid, $5,457,285, a 6.04 percent increase.
SAUGERTIES 2016-17 aid, $21,840,156 2017-18 aid, $22,701,466, a 3.94 percent increase.

DOWNLOAD or PLAY the audio version of the local news headlines for Mon., Apr. 10 (7:42). (Produced by Philip Grant.)

Click here to listen to WGXC's Congressional report, a look back at the week in news for Rep. John Faso (R-Kinderhook).

Emily Masters in the Albany Times-Union reports a barge carrying 60,000 barrels of refined gasoline crashed just outside of Catskill in the Hudson River Tue., April 4. The barge spent hours listing in the Hudson River off Dutchman's Landing in Catskill, but did not leak, and no one was injured. Rep. John Faso (R-Kinderhook) released a statement saying, in part, "I intend to make a request for a formal investigation into the cause of the accident through the U.S. Coast Guard and if circumstances warrant it, the Office of Marine Safety at the National Transportation Safety Board."

Extending a spat with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, on April 6 Congressperson John Faso (R-Kinderhook) introduced H.R. 1871, the Property Tax Reduction Act, reprising the amendment he added to the failed Republican healthcare proposal two weeks ago. The bill, similar to the amendment to the Republican healthcare plan, would shift Medicaid costs from local counties to the state. “For 51 years Albany has been unfairly mandating counties to pay for a significant share of state Medicaid costs,” a statement from Faso read. “This mandate has caused property taxes to skyrocket and in turn crushing homeowners, seniors, and businesses. Exorbitant property taxes and lack of jobs are the main reasons why New York State continues to lose population to other states." After Faso added a similar amendment to the Republican healthcare bill a few weeks ago, Cuomo and Faso spent a few days trading barbs in the media on the issue.

James Nani reports in The Fray that Democrats lined up so far to challenge Rep. John Faso (R-Kinderhook) raised almost a half million dollars during the first quarter of 2017. Rhinebeck Attorney Antonio Delgado said April 5 in a press release that he’s raised $300,000. Brian Flynn, a businessman from Hunter, says he's raised $175,000 so far. Steven Mitchell Brisee, a policy manager at Citi, said he has not started asking for donations yet, and reports for January-March campaign fundraising are not due to the Federal Election Commission until April 15. Faso has also filed for re-election. Faso raised $2.94 million in 2016, and has about $103,000 cash on hand, as of his last FEC filing. Read the full story in The Fray.

Congressman John Faso (R-Kinderhook) issued the following statement after the U.S. bombing of an airfield in Syria: “The U.S. attack on the Syrian air base associated with the chemical weapons attack was the correct response. The civilized world must respond to the horrific use of chemical weapons, especially against innocent civilians, or else we risk normalizing such behavior which has been outlawed since the end of World War I." Senator Kirsten Gillibrand also condemned the Syrian's chemical attack, and then said, “However, unilateral military action by the U.S. in a Middle East conflict causes grave concern, given the lack of any Authorization for Use of Military Force from Congress and the absence of any long-term plan or strategy to address any consequences from such unilateral action. Furthermore, there is no ‘military only’ solution to the suffering in Syria. The American people need answers from the Administration about their plan here and how they will bring coalition partners to the table for a long-term diplomatic solution.”

Some of the stories that made the news Fri., Apr. 7 through Sun., Apr. 9:

The New York Department of Transportation advised motorists that the work to repair a series of slopes along Route 23A between Haines Falls and Palenville, restarts Mon., Apr. 10. Between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. each day, from April 10 to April 14, motorists may encounter flaggers along this stretch of Route 23A. Beginning Mon., Apr. 17, traffic will be reduced to a single alternating lane controlled by traffic signals during the construction. Work is expected to be completed by August. No full road closures are anticipated this year as part of this project.

Joseph Spector reported for the Poughkeepsie Journal the state Senate was expected to give final approval to the state budget after the $153 billion spending plan was passed by the state Assembly, Saturday. "It really did a lot of great work, this budget, on a number of levels," Cuomo said Sunday on 970-AM in Manhattan. The agreement was due March 31, making it more than one week late. The spending plan includes free SUNY tuition beginning this fall for those from households earning $100,000 a year, and increases to a $125,000 threshold by 2019. The budget also includes legalizing ride-hailing services outside New York City, raising the age of criminal responsibility from age 16 to 18 and requiring local governments to find ways to share services to lower costs. The agreement also provides for a $1.1 billion increase in aid to public schools. Senate Republicans hailed the budget, calling it a victory for all New Yorkers, while Democrats were critical of the process and the failure to include tuition assistance to undocumented immigrants and ethics reform in the final plan.

Mid-Hudson News [dot] com reported the state-owned Belleayre Mountain ski resort secured $8.5 million under the state's 2017-18 spending plan. Assembly member Kevin Cahill and Sen. James Seward fought for the funding that Cahill said will help restore and enhance the facilities. This is the fifth year the Kingston Democrat pushed for support to ensure what he says is Belleayre's "fair share" of the resources allocated to the Olympic Regional Development Authority. The authority has operated Belleayre since 2012. Belleayre Mountain is a four-season ski resort located in the Catskill Mountains in Highmount, Ulster County.

The Times Union reported Columbia County Sheriff David P. Bartlett Sat., Apr. 8, recognized two deputies for preventing a choking death last weekend. Deputy Heath Benansky and Jason Garvey were off-duty and eating dinner at Yiannis at Chatham House in Chatham when fellow diner Bill Mickle began choking, Bartlett said. Mickle's wife Michelle tried the Heimlich maneuver twice, but her husband continued to choke and could not breathe. Deputies took over, successfully dislodged the food and restored his breathing. Bartlett recognized the deputies at the Zone 14 Police Academy graduation held at Columbia-Greene Community College.

Daniel Zuckerman reported in The Daily Mail the Greene County Legislature Public Safety Committee last week approved a resolution in support of a state Senate bill that would repeal the SAFE Act in upstate New York and limit it to Kings, Queens, Richmond, New York and Bronx counties. Provisions would be made to remove restrictions on transferring guns to family members after a gun owner’s death and removing background checks when purchasing ammunition. The Assembly co-sponsors of the bill include Pete Lopez and Steve McLaughlin, both Republicans. The SAFE Act places restrictions on responsible gun owners and fails to address the issues of people who obtain guns illegally, Lopez said this week. He hopes the bill addresses what he calls a clash of cultures between urban and rural parts of the state. County Sheriff Greg Seeley addressed the committee prior to the vote, saying, "Since it’s been enacted, Greene County is no safer with this bill. It just makes the honest man a criminal." Member Gene Hatton, a Republican representing Athens, made the motion to advance the bill. Public Safety Committee Chairman and Cairo Republican, William Lawrence denied the law has been effective in combatting crime. "The people who want to do something evil will find a way to do it," Lawrence said. "Banning all guns from people who are trying to live innocent lives is not good."

Emilia Teasdale reported in The Columbia Paper the Ichabod Crane Board of Education reviewed its proposed $38.9 million 2017-18 budget last week. The proposal represents a 2.22 percent increase in spending next year, with a proposed tax levy of 1.47 percent. “There are no cuts of program or staffing in this budget,” Superintendent George Zini said last week. “We are able to maintain the services that we have." If additional aid is awarded under the newly approved state budget, Zini said there are plans to add a few new positions, such as a districtwide instructional technology specialist, and to give substitute maintenance workers a raise. The board will make final changes to the spending plan at a special meeting on Wed., Apr. 12. The board will conduct its budget hearing, May 2, preceded by a school board candidate forum. In addition to the annual budget vote and board elections, Ichabod Crane voters will also be asked to approve the purchase of five school buses and one van when they go to the polls May 16.

William J. Kemble reported in the Daily Freeman school boards in the 22 component districts of Questar III BOCES [BOE-seez] districts will vote April 25 on Questar’s proposed $6.1 million administrative budget for 2017-18. The administrative budget is part of an overall Questar III spending plan for next year, totaling $70.4 million, 1.6 percent less than its current operating budget. Proposed spending next year has been decreased across the board. Questar III Superintendent Gladys Cruz said Fri., Apr. 7, the overall reduction in program costs is a result of efforts to be more efficient. Questar III includes school districts in Greene, Columbia and Rensselaer counties. Boards of Cooperative Educational Services, or BOCES, were created by the state Legislature in 1948 to provide shared educational programs and services to school districts outside of the state's largest city districts.

Local weather forecast:

TODAY: Mostly sunny. High near 77. Monday night, partly cloudy. Low around 52.

FORECAST FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS
TUESDAY: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Partly sunny. High near 78. Tuesday night, a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. Low around 51.
WEDNESDAY: Partly sunny. High near 63. Wednesday night, partly cloudy. Low around 40.

Sunrise today: 6:20 a.m.
Sunset today: 7:32 p.m.
LENGTH OF THE DAY: 13:11 hrs.

PUBLIC MEETINGS
Today is the second Monday of the month.

WGXC suggests calling ahead to confirm time and location.
All numbers are in the 518 area code unless otherwise noted.

ASHLAND Town Board meeting, 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall, Main Street, Ashland (734-3636).
CANAAN Town Board budget workshop at 6:30 p.m.; full board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 1647 Co. Rte. 5, Canaan (781-3144).
COPAKE Environmental Committee meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 230 Mt. View Road, Copake (329-1234).
GREENE County Legislature County Services and Public Works committee meetings, 6 p.m. at 411 Main Street (Caucus Room), Catskill (719-3270).
GREENVILLE Central Board of Education meeting, 7 p.m., middle school/high school library, 4982 State Route 81, Greenville (966-5070).
HUDSON Board of Education final presentation of proposed 2017-18 school budget, 6:30 p.m., followed by regular meeting, 7 p.m. in high school library, 215 Harry Howard Boulevard (828-4360).
HUDSON Common Council Informal meeting, 7 p.m. at City Hall, 520 Warren St., Hudson (828-1030).
HUNTER Village Board meeting, 8 p.m. at Village Hall, 7955 Main St., Hudson (263-4020).
NEW BALTIMORE Town Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 3809 Rt. 51, Hannacroix (756-6671).
PHILMONT Village Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Village Hall, 124 Main St., Philmont (672-7032).
PRATTSVILLE Town Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 14517 Main St., Prattsville (299-3125).
TAGHKANIC public hearing on the 2017 preliminary town budget followed by the regular Town Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 909 Route 82, Taghkanic (851-7638

POLITICAL EVENTS
Weekly event:

Faso Friday, 12 p.m., every Friday at U.S. Rep. John Faso's District Office, 2 Hudson Street, Kinderhook. Information at erinpersists@gmail.com.

Albany March for Science, 3 p.m., Apr. 22 at Washington Avenue near Capitol. In concert with the DC March for Science.
People's Climate March Hudson, 12 p.m., Apr. 29; begins in the Hudson Public Square (7th Street Park). Sister march to the People's Climate March in Washington D.C. Scheduled speakers: Ned Sullivan of Scenic Hudson, state Assembly member Did Barrett, Livingston Town Board member Will Yandik, and Michelle O'Leary from the Hoosick Falls-based NY Water Project.
Day without Immigrants Strike, May 1, details to come. No work, no school and no shopping for a day.
People's March for Free Press, 12 p.m., May 13, at 5th Avenue and 42nd Street, New York. March and rally in support of the press and free speech.

Work to repair a series of slopes along Route 23A between Haines Falls and Palenville, restarts on Monday, April 10. Between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. from April 10 to April 14, motorists may encounter flaggers along this stretch of Route 23A. Then, starting April 17, traffic will be reduced to a single alternating lane controlled by traffic signals during the construction. Work is expected to be completed by August. No full road closures are anticipated this year as part of this project.

The Associated Press reports that a budget deal has been struck in Albany, a week after the deadline. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the proposal includes $1.1 billion in new school spending, the authorization for Uber and Lyft to expand upstate, and free college tuition for students from families making $125,000 or less. The agreement between legislative leaders and the governor still needs approval in the Assembly and Senate. It includes $2.5 billion for water quality and water and sewer upgrades, but the proposal to raise the age of adult criminal responsibility from 16 to 18 has not been finalized. Read the Associated Press Story in U.S. News and World Report.

Patricia R. Doxsey reports in the Daily Freeman that a group of Democratic lawmakers want to make Ulster County something of a sanctuary county for undocumented immigrants. An eight-page resolution called “A Policy to Maintain a Safe, Inclusive Government and Ensure the Protection, Order, Conduct, Safety, Health and Well-Being of All Persons in Ulster County” calls for county employees to not stop, question, interrogate, or arrest individuals “solely for the purpose of enforcing immigration law." The resolution also instructs employees not perform the functions of a federal immigration officer; to honor detainer requests from federal agents only in specific situations; and to deny federal agents access to inmates in county custody. Legislature Minority Leader Hector Rodriguez, the sponsor of the resolution, said the “sheriff right now maintains a different policy.” Ulster County Sheriff Paul VanBlarcum said, “They can’t create policy for the Sheriff’s Office.... I’m an independently elected official. I’m the only one who can create policy for the Sheriff’s Office.” Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.