March 23rd, 2022 Daily Headlines
The Tompkins County Legislature has voted to increase pay for local election day poll workers. According to the Ithaca Voice, poll workers will now be paid $15.32 per hour, a $2.82 increase. A raise to $14.00 an hour was initially proposed but later raised. Legislator Greg Mezey voiced support for the measure saying it is important for Tompkins County to live up to its claim as a “living wage employer.” The measure passed the legislature by a vote of 12-1 with Dryden Democrat Mike Lane voting no.
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4th Ward Councilor Patrick Mehler appeared on the game show “Wheel of Fortune” on Monday as a part of the show's “college week.” According to 14850.com, Mehler, who is also a student at Cornell, represented the University wearing a Cornell sweatshirt on the program. Mehler said he prepared for three months to appear on the game show.
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On Monday Attorney General Letitia James appeared with union leaders to push for more investment in nursing home workers. According to the Daily News, James appeared with 1199SEIU President George Gresham calling on lawmakers and Governor Hochul to improve staff-to-resident ratios. James and Gresham also called for investments in better wages and more worker protections. Nursing home reforms were passed in last year's budget, but were delayed by Governor Hochul who cited a shortage of healthcare workers and the ongoing COVID crisis.
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In the debate over New York state’s next budget Governor Hochul is pushing for changes to the state’s current bail law. According to the New York Times, Hochul is seeking to expand the number of crimes that are “bail eligible” meaning a judge can require defendants to pay bail. Hochul is also looking to allow judges to consider the “dangerousness” of a defendant when making bail decisions. The push for bail reform has received support from New York City Mayor Eric Adams. According to the Economist there is little evidence suggesting that progressive criminal justice policies like bail reform are to blame for the recent surge in crime reported across the country.