Local News for Thursday, January 19, 2023

Tompkins County Legislature to Make Housing Priority

Shawna Black, chair of the Tompkins County Legislature, says it’s time to do something about the County’s growing housing needs. Black made the statement during her annual state of the County address on Tuesday. She said housing and economic development are her top priorities this year,and according to the Ithaca Voice she’s made committee changes to advance her goals. Housing and economic development are now under the one committee’s purview, previously housing was under the Health and Human Services. Overall, Black said the financial health of  the county is good.

Tompkins Democrats Select Currie to Fill Granison’s Seat

When Tompkins County voters in the 3rd district go to the polls next Tuesday, they’ll only see one name on the ballot. Democrat Susan Currie is running uncontested. A Tompkins County’s Democratic party committee selected Currie unanimously to fill the seat left vacant when Henry Granison resigned and later died last year. Currie was head of the County public library for 18 years and retired in 2017. The Ithaca Times reports that no other candidates came forward before the ballot deadline but voters may write in other selections. The district covers parts of Ithaca’s East Hill, Belle Sherman, and South Hill neighborhoods.

State Senate Committee Rejects Hochul Court Choice

On Wednesday, the State Senate Judicial Committee rejected Governor Hochul’s choice for the state’s chief judge. Moderate democrats and progressives have been  split over Hochul’s nomination of Hector LaSalle from the start. WRVO Public Radio reports that committee chair Brad Hoylman-Sigal said the “nomination is lost” following Wednesday’s vote. However, Hochul continues to push the nominee saying the constitution requires an up or down vote by the entire state senate.