March 21st, 2022 Daily Headlines

Last Thursday, the Tompkins County Legislature appointed Lisa Holmes as the new County Administrator. Holmes had served as the Interim County Administrator since May of last year and has worked in the county government since 1998. She previously led the County Department of the Aging. The Administrator is responsible for overseeing the County’s budget and nearly 30 departments. 

——-

Local Officials have sent a letter to Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson in support of unionization efforts at local Starbucks locations. According to Ithaca Voice, the letter was signed by State Assemblymember Anna Kelles, as well as 6 members of the county legislature and 6 members of the City Common Council. The union drive began in January after a successful unionization effort at a Starbucks in Buffalo. Since the letter was sent, Johnson stepped down as CEO. He was replaced by longtime Chief Executive Howard Schultz.

——-
The process of deciding on New York State’s next budget has begun. The state Assembly and State Senate have each prepared their own budgets. According to the New York Times, the budgets put forth by the state legislature would include at least $6 Billion more in spending than the one offered by Governor Hochul back in January. Notably, each legislative budget included more spending on child care than the governor’s proposed $1.4 billion. The assembly’s proposal includes 3 billion in child care spending. The senate’s bill includes 4 billion. The Governor and the legislature remain divided over other proposals including bonuses for health care workers, an overhaul of the state ethics commission, permanent legalization of alcohol to-go, and extending control of New York City Schools to the city’s mayor. Officials in the Governor’s administration have said the legislature is underestimating the cost of their proposals saying the proposals could cost as much $12 Billion more than the governor’s proposal. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said the funds are meant to make up for years of divestment leading up to the pandemic.