COUNTY TIMES ROCKLAND
THURSDAY, APRIL 28 — WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2022
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ROCKLAND’S WEEKLY JOURNAL
COUNTY TIMES ROCKLAND
ROCKLAND’S SOURCE FOR REAL NEWS SINCE 1888™
135th Year, No. 17
PUBLISHED WEEKLY - THURSDAY APRIL 28 - WEDNESDAY MAY 4, 2022
Hochul Seeks to Change Ballot Law After Lieutenant Governor Arrested
By Joe Kuhn
Governor Kathy Hochul is having a challenging month. Due to a quirk in New York’s election laws, it appears that former Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin may still be listed as her running mate for the 2022 gubernatorial election despite being arrested for federal bribery and conspiracy charges two weeks ago. CBS news reported that Hochul reached out to the state legislature earlier this week in hopes of changing the law which currently prevents Benjamin from being removed from the ballot. “I would like the Legislature to pass legislation that corrects what is really a strange part of our law that does not allow the removal of someone who is under indictment or in other circumstances someone who has a terminal illness maybe. I mean, the law is the law until it’s changed,” Hochul said. New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins confirmed the governor called her Monday night to discuss amending the law. Benjamin resigned as lieutenant governor on April 12, hours after surrendering himself to the authorities who arrested and indicted the Harlem native for several charges, including bribery and honest services wire fraud. Benjamin was subsequently released on a $250,000 bond after entering a not guilty plea in federal court. US Attorney Damian Williams has alleged that “from at least in or about 2019, up to and including at least in or about 2021, Benjamin participated in a scheme to obtain campaign contributions from a Harlem-based real estate developer in exchange for Benjamin’s use of his official authority and influence as a New York State senator to obtain a $50,000 state-funded grant for a non-profit organization controlled by the developer.” In the court documents, it is further suggested that Benjamin and others acting on his behalf, or at his direction, engaged in a series of lies and deceptions to cover up his scheme, including by falsifying campaign donor forms and misleading city regulators. Governor Hochul immediately accepted Benjamin’s resignation and has since sought to distance herself from her former, and possibly current, running mate. “While the legal process plays out, it is clear to both of us that he cannot continue to serve as lieutenant governor. New Yorkers deserve absolute confidence in their government, and I will continue working every day to deliver for them,” said the Governor. Speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Hochul indicated Benjamin is unlikely to leave the state.”Right now the best option is to get the Legislature and ask them for their support for legislation to correct this deficiency in current law,” she said. Hochul has a tight deadline to formally sever ties with Benjamin as early voting begins on June 18. New York law currently dictates that a candidate for office cannot be removed from the ballot after accepting a nomination, barring a few narrow circumstances such as leaving the state or dying. Oddly enough, standing trial for conspiracy is not presently considered
Governor Hochul may find herself sharing a ballot with a man indicted for corruption if unable to change current election law (photo from NY.com)
grounds to remove a candidate from the ticket. If the law is not changed, Hochul will remain unable to name a new running mate, and will run in the general election alongside the winner of the June 28 democratic primary election for Lt. Governor. Activist Ana Maria Archila, and former New York City Councilwoman Diana Reyna, are competing for the nomination. State Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, a Democrat from Westchester County, has indicated she will introduce a bill that would allow for the removal of candidates facing criminal charges or a terminal illness. The measure could gain a floor vote in her chamber.”I’m hoping we will,” Paulin said on Tuesday. “I don’t know for sure, but I’m hoping we will. We’re certainly talking about it.” Democratic lawmakers who control the state Senate and Assembly have been hesitant to support making changes to the election law ahead of the primary vote. “I really, really, really don’t like to change rules in the middle of a process,” Stewart-Cousins said. “It’s certainly in the middle of an election. She did speak to me last night and we will continue the conversation. .” State Republicans share those reservations, and have signaled their intent to block any legislation that would alter the current law. New York State GOP Chairman Nick Langworthy said in a statement, “If Kathy Hochul’s co-conspirators in the legislature help her avoid accountability for picking a crook as Lieutenant Governor they will be directly responsible for aiding and abetting the cesspool of Albany corruption, and we will make sure every voter knows it.”
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Gas Relief Promised: Rockland leadership to lower taxes at the pump
Rockland's leadership, taking a cue from the state government, have established a cap on fuel taxes for the rest of 2022. County Executive Ed Day and County Legislature Chairman Jay Hood Jr. were happy to announce last week that local sales tax on motor fuel will be capped at $2 per gallon. The change means sales tax will only be applied to the first $2 of a gasoline purchase, opposed to the full gas price consumers are currently paying, which is now over $4 a gallon. The 2022 New York State Budget provides a suspension of the state excise and sales tax, providing a combined 16 cents per gallon savings to consumers, from June 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022. To provide additional savings to Rockland families, the County Executive and County Legislature made the joint decision to cap the local sales tax on motor fuel at $2 per gallon effective June 1, 2022, through February 28, 2023, two months longer than New York State’s tax suspensions. At the current price of gasoline, this cap will generate approximately 8 cents in additional savings for consumers which, when coupled with state tax suspensions, should result in an estimated 24 cents in relief at the gas pump starting this summer. County officials chose not to suspend the motor fuel sales tax entirely to avoid a major deficit in this year’s 2022 budget. Rockland’s leadership hope this resolution, combined with the actions of New York State, provides financial relief to families. “Between the record-inflation, rising gas prices, and the pandemic, our families need help now and Rockland County leadership worked expeditiously to deliver it," said Day. The role of government is to create an environment where residents can thrive, not to make money or profiteer off families feeling the duress of a strained economy. We hope that this cap provides some muchneeded reprieve to Rockland County families. County Legislature Chairman Jay Hood Jr. added, “sticker shock is a harsh reality for many Rockland County families as the prices of so many basics - eggs, meat, gas - have soared. It’s part of County government’s job to recognize the needs of people and to act and bringing some relief at the gas pump is an important way we can help. I am glad the Legislature was able to collaborate with the County Executive to bring about this needed relief. This is the way government should work for the people.”
Metro-North Railroad Reveals New Platform Shelter and Station Enhancements at Nanuet On April 21, Metro North Railroad President Catherine Rinaldi announced the opening of the rebuilt platform shelter at the Nanuet Station, dedicated in memory of Orrin Getz, Vice Chair of the Metro-North Railroad Commuter Council. The Nanuet Station is the Pascack Valley Line’s busiest station in New York, with approximately 600 daily customers prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The shelter welcomes riders with new benches with USB connections, LED lights, a fully glass enclosed waiting area, heating, a wooden ceiling, and exterior directional signs. The platform shelter has been redesigned in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and is equipped with communication and security enhancements, including a new speaker and camera inside the shelter and Help Points – sleek metal enclosures that contain an emergency call box with a direct line to MTA Police Department (MTAPD). Additionally, as part of the MTA’s Customer Service Initiative, crews have installed a kiosk that displays real-time train departure information. “A modern, attractive and clean station is an important
part of the Metro-North customer experience,” said Metro-North President Catherine Rinaldi, “Part of that improved customer experience is largely owed to the efforts of Orrin Getz, a leading voice for all Metro-North riders, but especially for West of Hudson riders, being a Pascack Valley rider himself. The shelter has been deservingly dedicated to Orrin, in recognition of his accomplishments and years advocating for improved service on behalf of his community.” “Orrin Getz dedicated decades of his life to advocacy on behalf of Rockland County commuters and is exactly why I asked for this shelter to be named in his honor,” said Rockland County Executive Ed Day. “Rockland County looks forward to continued collaboration with MetroNorth and New Jersey Transit to further improve service on the Pascack Valley line and revitalize other stations in our County, because as we know, much, much more needs to be done for our beleaguered Rockland commuters.” “On behalf of the Town of Clarkstown, we thank MetroNorth for this much needed upgrade to the Nanuet Train Station,” said Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann. “The residents of Clarkstown and Rockland County appreciate the new communication, technology and security enhancements. I am so delighted that the new shelter is dedicated to longtime resident and transportation advocate, Orrin Getz. Over the years, Orrin committed countless hours to advocacy and his efforts directly resulted in improved service to the Pascack Valley line. This dedication is a true honor to his commitment to our community and his fellow commuters.” “The beautiful shelter being unveiled today is a wonderful testament to Orrin Getz,” said Lisa Daglian, Executive Director of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA (PCAC). “He was a staunch advocate for meeting the needs of all riders and wanted to be sure that everyone could access Metro-North, including riders with disabilities. The amenities included here will make waiting for the train less of a burden. A West of Hudson rider, Orrin constantly beat the drum for better and more service and improving communication between the Railroad and commuters. It is a very bittersweet moment that Orrin can’t be here to see this dedication – this shelter in many ways epitomizes his commitment to supporting his fellow riders.” Both the station shelter work and the real time information upgrades and are funded through the MTA’s capital program. The shelter work was performed by Pleasant Contracting Corp., a Staten Island-based contracting company that participates in the MTA’s Small Business Mentoring Program.