WCDO Radio News

Broome County Transit premiered their new fully electric buses that the county will be transitioning to in the coming months. The Busses are manufactured by Nova Bus of Plattsburgh, Broome County will be the only county in the state to transition to an all-electric public transit system.

The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce held it 1st steering committee meeting recently as they try to implement a "Micro-Transit" plan to get Delaware County residents to & from Delaware County jobs, Chamber President Ray Pucci explains:

(Ray Pucci 11-30-21)

Pucci said that they are working with Getthere New York to try to implement a micro transit system similar but different than current Ride Sharing systems in place around the county, to accommodate Delaware County's rural nature.

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 1-6-21

Governor Cuomo announced legislation to authorize mobile sports wagering as part of the 2021 State of the State. State budget director Robert Mujica said that some states like New Jersey have a system where they collect about 45 million dollars a year, where the New York State is looking at a way to gain 300 million dollars a year by setting up the program much like the New York State Lottery:

(Robert Mujica 1-6-21)

Mujica said that Under Governor Cuomo's proposal, the State Gaming Commission will issue a request for proposals to select and license a sports operator or platform to offer mobile sports wagering, they must have a partnership with one of the existing licensed commercial casinos & the Commission will also require any entity operating mobile wagering apps include safeguards against abuses and addiction.

Governor Cuomo announced a proposal to legalize and create a comprehensive system to oversee and regulate cannabis in New York as part of the 2021 State of the State:

(Cuomo 1-6-21)

Under the Governor's proposal, a new Office of Cannabis Management would be created to oversee the new adult-use program, as well as the State's existing medical and cannabinoid hemp programs, the legalization is expected to generate more than $300 million in tax revenue.

NY State of Health announced today that it is not too late to get health insurance coverage for 2021, even though the December 31 enrollment deadline has passed. The Marketplace is reminding consumers to enroll in a Qualified Health Plan by January 15 for coverage effective February 1.

Former Andes Town Supervisor Martin Donnelly has passed away. Donnelly served as Andes Supervisor from 1998 to 2015, he was 83.

A.M. NEWS Wednesday 1-6-21

Governor Cuomo said that 911,000 Vaccines Will Be Distributed to Providers By End of Week, with a Total of 3,762 Vaccination Sites Currently Enrolled as Part of Statewide Network, 636 Sites Statewide Currently Vaccinating Eligible New Yorkers, which will soon include Essential Worker Groups such as Police, Fire, Education and Transit Workers.

The New York Compensation Insurance Rating Board has submitted an overall workers’ compensation rate decrease of approximately 4.5%, which will save New York employers about $400 million this year in workers’ compensation premiums. The Board attributed the reduction in premium rates to cost savings measures passed as part of the 2017-2018 State budget and general system savings by the State Workers’ Compensation Board. The rate submission must still be reviewed and approved by the Department of Financial Services and, if approved, would become effective October 1, 2017.

BC Transit will be providing shuttles from Nathaniel Cole Park to Animal Adventure Park for their first week of the season. The main parking lot at Animal Adventure Park will still be used. The shuttle service will be utilized when the main lot is full in order to accommodate the large crowds expected. Today is opening day at the park, shuttles will run regularly starting at 10:30 A.M. and running until 5:00 P.M. The shuttles will maintain the same schedule on Saturday, May 20th and Sunday, May 21st. This service is provided free of charge as a courtesy from Animal Adventure.

New York’s highways & bridges are among the worst in the nation, according to a new report by “TRIP”, which is a national transportation organization. 5% of the states interstate bridges are structurally deficient, 4th worst in the nation, 17% 0of the pavement on the New York interstate system is in poor to mediocre condition, which is 10th worst in the nation. President Obama signed into law a 5 year 305 billion dollar highway improvement plan last year, which will boost highway funding by 15% and transit funding by 15% by the year 2020.

Broome county is putting out a request for proposals from private management companies to take over the operation of the BC Transit Bus system. The system has been battered by service cuts and fare increases in the last few years, so the county is now looking at private management to save money. The bid request would likely go out sometime in the next two weeks. The county said it will look at bid options, and then make a decision whether or not to move forward. The county said it has no plans for a fare hike or major service cuts in its 2014 proposal.