Headlines for October 3, 2022

Asphalt repair work will continue on Hector Street. The work was originally scheduled to be complete by September 30th. The city now says the street will remain as one lane until October 14. 

The Department of Labor announced that the minimum wage in upstate New York will increase to $14.20 dollars per hour in January. The minimum wage in New York City is $15 The Ithaca Voice reports that the current minimum wage upstate is 13.20, and will continue to increase in the State every year until it reaches $15. Ithaca and Tompkins County have long called for the minimum wage to match the living wage in the area, which is estimated to be $16.61 per hour. 

New polling for New York’s gubernatorial race holds Governor Hochul 17 points ahead of Rep. Lee Zeldin. The poll was taken over the course of nine days, and examined 655 potential voters. The Times Union Reports that, although the results indicate a Democratic victory, they also indicate that voters are more concerned with issues such as the economy, inflation, and crime, than they are about abortion and potential “threats to democracy.” The new polling also contradicts polls conducted by the Zeldin campaign, which have suggested a tightening race. 

On Wednesday, former Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a new podcast, a political action committee, and a gun safety organization. According to the Times Union, Cuomo says the PAC will be used to elect the "right people" to office. The gun safety group —called the Gun Safety Initiative Project— will aim to address the political gridlock impeding Federal gun reform. The announcement came more than a year after the former Governor resigned amidst allegations of sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct.