May 10th, 2022 Daily Headlines

A study by the Washington Post has found that rent prices in Tompkins County have risen by 12.3 percent since the beginning of 2020. According to the Ithaca Voice, that was the fourth highest rise of any county in New York state. Rent prices have been  a hot button issue in Ithaca especially since the end of New York’s eviction moratorium. Organizations like the Ithaca Tenants Union have been pushing back against evictions and for “good cause” eviction legislation. The study found that the average monthly rent in Tompkins was $1,702.

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Road work to replace a manhole will begin today on N Cayuga and W State Streets. Expect slow traffic today and tomorrow. North Cayuga Street will be reduced to one lane of traffic during work hours. 

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On Sunday Governor Kathy Hochul announced she had tested positive for COVID-19. According to Politico, the Governor said she was asymptomatic, crediting her vaccination status with keeping her safe. The Governor said she would be working remotely for the time being. The Governor’s last public appearance was on Friday sitting with New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy at an event hosted by the Regional Plan Association. New York has seen an uptick in COVID cases and several prominent politicians have tested positive including New York City Mayor Eric Adams. 

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Yesterday, New York State Attorney General Letitia James announced legislation that would provide financial resources to abortion providers in New York State. According to CNY Central, James is partnering with State Senator Cordell Cleare and Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas to create the Reproductive Freedom and Equity Program. The program would offer financial support to abortion providers to expand access to abortions, and support an influx of people seeking abortions from outside the state. James has also called for an amendment to the state constitution securing the right to an abortion.