Andy Goodell

State Assemblyman Andy Goodell wants more fiscal restraint in the state budget than what Governor Hochul has proposed.

Kathy Hochul presented her $277 billion spending plan Wednesday that increases spending by $5 billion over the current financial year’s budget.

Goodell said with Federal funds related to the Pandemic drying up, state lawmakers need to look at how to make New York more efficient and less expensive for residents. He said while there are not general tax increases in the proposed budget, he was disappointed with the carbon tax proposed that he says will affect everyone, “Because one of the largest generators of carbon emissions in New York State are the utility companies, including here in Jamestown. And so Jamestown is already paying over $2 million surcharge to help support clean energy and that’s coming right out the pocket of all Jamestown BPU customers. And her proposal would increase those expenses by an estimated billion dollars statewide.”

Goodell said he thought the increase to mental health services was a positive move, and hopes the increase in funding for housing mental health patients is approved.

He also was encouraged by Hochul’s budgetary plans for public safety, including gun violence, “In the category of addressing violence, she included $84 million for Youth Employment programs, which I think is good because the more youth are involved in positive activities, particularly ones that give them job experience, the less likely they’ll resort to gang violence.”

Goodell hopes that the 10% increase in school aid in addition to the full funding of Foundation Aid to school districts will result in tax decreases.

In terms of AIM, or the Aid and Incentives to municipalities program, Goodell thinks funding should increase given that it had been frozen or even decreased 12 years ago.

During the budget process over the next two months, Goodell will be advocating for funding for the 2-1-1 program and support for the Cornell Cooperative Extension program.

Goodell said he and State Senator George Borrello made specific requests for increases in funding for lake maintenance and for the Jefferson Project, “Which is an amazing project with both public and private funding to do a very, very detailed scientific analysis of harmful algal blooms. And that data would be helpful for every lake in the state.”

Goodell added he’s also hoping the $100 million budgeted for transformational hospital construction funds will include money for the new Brooks Memorial Hospital construction in Fredonia.

A Blue Green Algae bloom on Chautauqua Lake. (Photo courtesy of Chautauqua County Department of Health)

MAYVILLE – The Public Health Division of the Chautauqua County Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) is urging all Chautauqua County residents and visitors to educate themselves about Harmful Algal Blooms (AKA HABs) and to be cautious when swimming, boating, and fishing.

HABs present a public health risk because they can release toxins which may be harmful to human and animal health.

In New York, HABs occur most frequently in the mid to late summer months but can occur at any time of the year. Small bloom conditions can change rapidly due to changes in weather and lake currents. Larger blooms will likely persist throughout the summer once they become established.

The current status of Chautauqua County permitted public beaches and additional information about HABs are listed on the County Website at chautauqua.ny.us.

Pictured above, panelists of the Western New York Regional Harmful Algal Bloom Summit.

ROCHESTER – Chautauqua Lake was well represented at the Western New York Regional Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) Summit in Rochester on March 26.

County Executive George Borrello, County Legislator Pierre Chagnon, Water Resource Specialist Bill Boria, Soil & Water Conservation District Field Manager Dave Spann, and Watershed Coordinator Dave McCoy attended the 12-hour session on behalf of Chautauqua County.

They were joined by other lake organization representatives – including Erin Brickley from the Chautauqua Lake & Watershed Management Alliance; as well as representatives from Chautauqua Lake Association, Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy, Audubon Community Nature Center, and Chautauqua Lake Partnership.

The state held the summit as an effort to address the growing problem of algal blooms on New York Waterways.

As part of the state budget, Governor Andrew Cuomo included Chautauqua Lake in his $65 million HABs Initiative as one of twelve priority lakes in New York State.

Officials hope information collected during the summit will help them better address the HAB problem at the local level.

Algae bloom on Chautauqua Lake, captured in this aerial photo by John McCredie.

ALBANY – Chautauqua Lake was named one of 12 lakes in the state to receive a portion of $65 million to combat harmful algal blooms (Or HABs) that “threaten recreational use of lakes as well as drinking water.”

As part of his soon-to-be unveiled 2018 State of the State address, Gov. Andrew Cuomo discussed a four-point initiative regarding the conditions of priority lakes. Cuomo said 12 priority lakes — including Chautauqua Lake — are vulnerable to HABs and are critical sources of drinking water and vital tourism drivers.

As part of the proposal, the state will provide $500,000 per lake to develop immediate action plans to reduce sources of pollution that spark algal blooms.

The funding will have to be approved by the state legislature in the 2018-19 fiscal budget, which is due by April 1, 2018.