Cuomo is Resigning, Lt Gov Hochul to be First Woman To Serve as New York’s Governor
Governor Cuomo at a press conference on reducing incidents of gun violence in New York City in Brooklyn on July 14, 2021. (Kevin P. Coughlin/Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo)
ITHACA, NY -- Governor Cuomo is resigning from office in 14 days after an investigation found he sexually harassed 11 women. On August 24th, Lieutenant Governor, Kathy Hochul will become the first woman to serve as Governor of New York.
The announcement came during a press briefing earlier today where Cuomo and his attorney, Rita Glavin, spoke. They pushed back against a report commissioned by Attorney General Letitia James’ which stated that Cuomo had sexually harassed multiple women. Cuomo called the report politically motivated, and said the most serious allegations have no credible evidence.
Cuomo said that his resignation comes from a desire to avoid the cost an impeachment investigation would have on New York State government operations and taxpayers.
“Wasting energy on distractions is the last thing that the state government should be doing. And I cannot be the cause of that,” said Cuomo.
Cuomo has denied that he touched anyone inappropriately. But, during the press briefing, he apologized to the 11 women whose testimony was included in the Attorney General’s report for having, quote, “offended them.”
Cornell Palestinian Solidarity Encampment Closes
Protestors at Cornell’s Palestinian solidarity encampment took down tents and left the Arts Quad Monday. On April 25, the day the encampment was set up, Cornell’s administration told the group it had only hours to vacate. However, 18 days later, members of the Coalition for Mutual Liberation (or CML) voluntarily ended their occupation. As dusk…
Alcance Latino: Cornell Small Farms Program [in Spanish]
Spanish Farm Field Day at West Haven Farm (Photo: Jamie Johnson) Carlos Gutiérrez habla con Mildred Alvarado, María José Oviedo y Tim Shenk, quienes forman parte del programa Futuro en Ag en Cornell. Hablan sobre oportunidades educativas para agricultores de habla hispana y aspirantes a agricultores en el estado de Nueva York. Carlos Gutierrez speaks…
Investment Crowdfunding Platform Launches In Ithaca
The buy local movement isn’t new. But now, an initiative in Ithaca is offering a different kind of opportunity: to invest in local businesses. Crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter and GoFundMe are nothing new and are donation based. The new Ithaca Exchange is investment crowdfunding. “Investment crowdfunding works with businesses to create actually SEC approved investment…
Local News: May 10, 2024
Sabotage Cuts Candidate Forum Short A forum for Ithaca City School Board candidates Thursday night was interrupted and then cut short. The event was hosted by the Ithaca Teachers Association (or ITA) via Zoom. Seven candidates were slated to participate, three of whom are endorsed by the ITA. According to the Ithaca Voice, the attack…
Local News: May 9, 2024
Cornell President Pollack to Retire After seven years as Cornell’s President, Martha Pollock will retire on June 30. According to the Cornell Sun, in her announcement Pollack stressed that the decision to leave was her own. She added that she had been considering retirement since last fall. But events at Cornell and other campuses lead…
Local News: May 8, 2024
Housing Market in Tompkins Remains Tight The housing market in Tompkins County continues to shrink. According to the Tompkins Weekly, housing stock is down 14% from last year’s already historic low. Brent Katzmann of the Ithaca Board of Realtors called the decline “disconcerting.” In addition to an overall decline in available houses for sale, he…
Local News: May 7, 2024
Ithaca Starts Clean Up of Homeless Encampment City workers have begun to clean up a former homeless encampment in Ithaca’s West End. The clean up was ordered by the Tompkins Environmental Health in early April. According to the Ithaca Voice, work began at the site last week. The small triangular parcel is bordered by train…
Local News: May 6, 2024 – 2024 ICSD Elections
Ithaca City School District Election Roundup The district-wide Ithaca City School District election is coming up on May 21. Eligible voters in the district will vote on three ballot measures and for candidates for three seats on the school board. The first measure is a vote on the district’s proposed $169 million budget. It will…
Local News: May 3, 2024
Coalition Pushes for “Just Cause” Employment in Ithaca The campaign for “just cause” employment legislation in Ithaca continues. According to the Cornell Sun, the Ithaca Just Cause Coalition has been pushing Common Council to adopt their proposal and a working group on the matter is being formed. The coalition includes unions, nonprofits and businesses. The…
Local News: May 2, 2024
Ithaca Passes Short Term Rental Ordinance, Green New Deal Plan- Ithaca’s Common Council passed to major resolutions at its regular meeting Wednesday night. The first enacts a long-discussed short term rental ordinance. Under the new regulation, a permit is required to operate a short term rental. A “short term rental” is defined as one for…